
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



# 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 



AND 



EEMINISOENOE8 



OF 



REV. JOHN GRAHAM 



LATE PASTOR OF THE ASSOCIATE, NOW THE 
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF 
BOVIXA, DELAWARE CO. N. Y. 

WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING SOME INTERESTING AND 
IMPORTANT LETTERS TO THE AUTHOR FROM REV. DR. MO 
CRIE, THE CELEBRATED CHURCH HISTORIAN, AUTHOR 
OF THE LIVES OF JOHN KNOX AND ANDREW 
MELVILLE, &C. &C, AND OTHER EMINENT MIN- 
ISTERS OF SCOTLAND OF A FORMER DAY. 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED A FEW OF HIS SERMONS. 




WM. S. EENTOTJL: PHILADELPHIA. 
1870. 



.Q tiz A3 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year of 
our Lord , 1869, by 

WILLIAM S. RENTOUL 

In the Clerks Office of the District Court of the United States 
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



PREFACE. 



The following Reminiscences were written at leisure 
times principally for my own edification, and were 
designed to be left for the benefit of surviving relatives, 
in order that they might know something respecting 
the way the Lord has led me in the wilderness of this 
world, with the hope that they might be induced to 
trust in the same merciful and unerring Guide. I 
have, however, been led to change my mind, and to set 
up my Ebenezer in this public manner during my life- 
time, at the earnest request of several brethren into 
whose hands part of the Manuscript had fallen. I am 
deeply convinced of the many defects of this book, and 
of its unfitness to stand strict literary criticism. Know- 
ing that it will be read and appreciated only by those 
who were more or less acquainted with me, or with 
the events, persons, and places described, I have "used 
all plainness of speech." I trust I have the approba- 
tion of God in telling to the world what He has done 
for my soul, and how, where, and when He has led 
me and fed me, all my life long; by concealing which I 
would have been ungrateful and criminal : and as for 
the groundless disapprobation of a fellow-worm, it shall 
never disturb me. 

The Sermons were originally preached to the con- 
gregation of which I was Pastor, and were afterwards 

iii 



VP 



iv 



PBEFACE. 



re-written, condensed, and published in the Evangelical 
Repository, along with many others, under the signa- 
ture of " Delaware." They have been selected princi- 
pally because they w r ere shorter than some of the rest. 
I have recently read thetn all over carefully, and have 
derived much comfort and consolation from the price- 
less doctrines which they contain. And now when I 
am old, " worshipping God leaning on the top of my 
staff," looking by faith beyond the Jordan of death to 
the goodly land on the other side, into which, through 
the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, I hope 
soon to enter, I declare my firm belief in all these 
precious truths set forth in them, as being agreeable 
to and founded on the word of God. 

It is my earnest desire that this humble pro- 
duction may be blessed for promoting the cause of 
Christ, and for instructing, edifying, and comforting 
some of His true friends, when the mortal remains of 
its author shall be sleeping in the dust, among the 
sweet-smelling flowers of the prairie, unheeded and 
forgotten, — yet not forgotten by my Lord and Saviour, 
but "resting in hope" that in the morning of the res- 
urrection they shall arise immortal and incorruptible, 
and meet the Lord in the air. u Thou shalt call, and 
I will answer thee ; thou wilt have a desire to the 
work of thine hands." 

WINTERSET, MADISON CO, IOWA, 1 T p 

August 21th, 1869. / J ' U * 



CONTEXTS. 



PAGE 

Preface, . . . . . . iii 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES. 

Chapter i. — From my birth till I became a College stu- 
dent with a view to the ministry, . . .1 

Chapter ii. — From my becoming a student and entering 
College, to my settlement at Crosshill in Ayrshire as 
teacher of the School endowed by Elias Cathcart, esq., m 10 

Chapter hi. — From my settlement as school masterat 

Crosshill to my being licensed to preach the Gospel, 19 

Chapter iv. — From my commencing to preach in Scot- 
land, till I landed in New York, . . . 25 

Chapter v. — From my arrival in New York till my or- 
dination and settlement as Pastor of Bovina congrega- 
tion, N. Y., . . . . .41 

Chapter vi. — From my settlement at Bovina in 1832, to 

my marriage, in 1834, . . . .61 

Chapter vii. — From my marriage in 1834, till the close 

of my ministry at Bovina, in 1853, . . . 76 

Chapter viii. — From the close of my ministry at Bovina 
in 1853, till the present time, 1869, . . .96 
APPENDIX. 
I.-Letters to the Author: 

Letters from Rev. Dr. George Stevenson, of Ayr, Scot- 
land; and his son, ..... 114 

Letter from Rev. Professor George Paxton, D.D. . 117 

Letter from Rev, Dr, McCrie, . , . .119 

V 



vi 

Another Letter from the same, .... 121 

II.-A Brief Sketch of Rev. Andrew Arnot, one of 
the first Missionaries of the Associate Church of Scot- 
land to America, . . . . .124 

SERMONS. 
Sermon I.— The Nature and Necessity of a true Religious 

revival— Psalm lxxxv. 6, . . .133 

Sermon II. — Christ dwelling in the hearts of his people — 

Eph. in. 17, . . . . . . 148 

Sermon III. — Our Lord Jesus Christ the eternal and im- 
mutable God— Heb. xm. 8, ... 155 

Sermon IV. — Jesus Christ the complement of the Church 

or Believers— Col. II. 10, . . . 164 

Sermon V. — Jacob's Vow: or, The Believer's Trust in 

God for Temporal Blessings— Gen. xxviii. 20-22, . 174 

Sermon VI. — The same Subject concluded — Same text, 189 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 

OF 

KEY. JOHN GRAHAM. 



CHAPTER I. 

FKOM MY BIRTH TILL I BECAME A COLLEGE STUDENT WITH A 
VIEW TO THE MINISTRY. 

My Birth and boyhood — Desire to go to sea — My parents opposed 
to it — Engaged to a farmer — Serious accident, which lamed me 
for life — My consequent despondency, and perplexity what em- 
ployment then to turn to — Served a three years' apprenticeship 
to the trade of a tailor, with my uncle — The unkind treatment 
I received from him when my apprenticeship expired — Left my 
native town — Eemoved to Arbroath — Where I lived one year — 
There experienced a spiritual change and found kind friends — 
Joined the Seceders — Their religious principles and character 
at that period — Eemoved to Edinburgh — Annoyances from my 
ungodly fellow-workmen — My desire to change my employment, 
and for mental improvement — Began to attend Prayer and 
Conference Meetings — The great benefits to be derived from 
these — Attended a course of Lectures in Anatomy after my 
day's labor — How I got quit for life of the use of a crutch. 

I was born in Montrose, Scotland, in the year 1794. 
My parents were members of the Established Church. I 
received a common school education, and might have been 
a good scholar if I only had been studious, but I was too 
much taken up with other things, especially in working 
on board of ships and sailing in boats, to make much pro- 
gress in education. When about fourteen years of age, I 
had made up my mind to become a sailor, go to sea, and 
visit foreign lands ; which was contrary to the will of my 



2 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



parents, who endeavoured to change my purpose. In this 
they did not succeed for some time, until I had several 
narrow escapes of my life by falling into the sea. What 
we cannot do to change our own designs or those of others, 
God often does accomplish by selecting and making use 
of means peculiar to Himself, and these almost always 
contrary to our expectations. Thus He says, "Be still, 
and know that I am God." My parents thought that by 
removing me from the sea shore, and sending me into the 
country, I might perhaps change my mind, become a farmer, 
or follow some other occupation. I was, accordingly, en- 
gaged to a farmer for a year. But we little know what 
is to be the result of our schemes, however lawful and ex- 
pedient they may be in themselves, and although they may 
aiford every prospect of succeeding according to our ex- 
pectations*. We should, therefore, form them with de- 
pendence on and submission unto the will of God; saying, 
"Not our will, but thine be done! If the Lord will, we 
shall do this or that." Though sixty years have passed 
over my head since that period of my life to which I re- 
fer, yet I still continue to bless God for what He then 
permitted to take place, in order to change my purpose, 
and I trust also my heart, without which I might have 
filled an early grave, and have had my portion with the 
wicked. 

I went to my new situation with good will. It gave 
great satisfaction to my parents that I was away from the 
sea, out of the reach of danger as they thought; and that 
I had the prospect of soon being in a way of being a com- 
fort to them, and a benefit to myself. But alas ! we do 
not know how near our troubles are, or how "soon our 
prosperous state may be turned into misery." I had only 
been in the service of my employer for about six months, 
when I was sent a few miles distant to bring home some 
young cattle, and while running after them I fell and dis- 
located my hip joint; which, having been neglected too 
long, could never be replaced. This was the cause of my 
lameness, causing me to halt on my thigh ever since. This 
was a heavy trial to my father and mother, as well as a 
great affliction and disappointment to myself: to be brought 
back lame, sick, and helpless, who went out sound, healthy, 
and active ; and to have my prospects and calculations in 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



3 



life turned upside down. We are disposed frequently, 
like Jacob, to think that God's dispensations are against 
us, while they are all working together for our good; or 
to say with Naomi, when she returned a homeless, help- 
less widow, after having buried her husband and two sons 
in a foreign land, — " Call me not Naomi, call me Mara : 
for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I 
went out full, and the Lord hath brought me back empty; 
why then call me Naomi (beautiful or agreeable), seeing 
the Lord hath testified against me and the Almighty hath 
afflicted me?" God, in his love and mercy, has wisely 
kept parents in ignorance, when they are nursing and 
bringing up their children, what troubles are to overtake 
them, and what grief and vexations they may cause them; 
otherwise, it would embitter their joys, and discourage 
their hearts. Let them diligently and faithfully discharge 
their duty, by training them up in the way they should 
go, trusting in Him who has said, "I will be a God unto 
you and to your seed after you;" and who can bring light 
out of darkness, order out of confusion, and "meat out of 
the eater." 

It was twelve long wearisome months before I was able 
to be out of the house; and even then I could not walk 
without crutches. Oh what a change! I still remember 
how my proud, youthful heart was humbled and broken 
when I could not join my former companions in their 
amusements; and how those who were once my inferiors 
in strength and activity mocked me and abused me. I 
learned by experience (the best of teachers) the force of 
what the Prophet says, "It is good for a man to bear the 
yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence, 
because he hath borne it upon him." Owing to my lame- 
ness, and the poor state of my health, it was difficult to 
decide what I should have recourse to in order to make a 
living. I was unable to endure the confinement of school 
to obtain an education ; or to engage in any occupation 
which required strength or activity : hence, darkness and 
discouragement hung over the present and the future. If 
we had only more faith and patience, it would be far better 
for us, and we should be relieved from many doubts and 
fears : faith in Him who ordains whatsoever comes to pass, 
and patience to wait for his will. Not having these graces 



4 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



in exercise produces great perplexity, and often causes us 
to fall into "the slough of despond." 

I had an uncle in Montrose, a brother of my mother's, 
who was by occupation a tailor, kept several men work- 
ing for him, and carried on quite a respectable business. 
It was thought that if I could learn the trade with him, 
it might be for my benefit. I was, accordingly, bound as 
an apprentice to him for three years. It was agreed that 
I should get my board and clothing, and go home to my 
father's home every night. This was looked on as a kind 
opening of Providence. I shall only say, that though it 
was a situation far from being calculated to promote my 
spiritual improvement and growth in grace, I honorably 
fulfilled my engagement, and acted faithfully while in my 
uncle's service: yet, when my time expired, and though 
he knew that I could do my work as well as any man he 
had in his service, he refused to employ me. This we 
looked on as being cruel and ungrateful, and tended greatly 
to discourage me. My uncle resembled Jacob's; greedy 
and grasping, and prone to take the advantage. But there 
was this important difference between Jacob's case and 
mine, namely, that when Jacob left his uncle, he returned 
home wealthy, whereas when I left mine and went away 
to sojourn among strangers, and steer my course through 
the world, I was poor and much cast down. Harsh treat- 
ment coming from strangers or enemies can be more easily 
endured, than when it comes from near relatives or pro- 
fessed friends. Even the holy human soul of our blessed 
Redeemer felt this, and complained of it, when he said ; 
" Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who 
did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." 
If we would only attentively observe the movements of 
Providence, we would find that what our enemies intend 
for evil, like J oseph's brethren, the Lord overrules for our 
good. 

My not obtaining employment in my native place was 
the means of causing me leave it, and push my way among 
strangers. With the consent of my parents I made up 
my mind to go to Arbroath, a populous town some twelve 
miles distant, to seek employment; not without many 
fears as to the result. Accordingly I took my departure in 
a lumber wagon, with a small bundle carefully made up 



OF KEY. JOHN GRAHAM. 



5 



by the hand of one of the most devoted and affectionate 
mothers that ever breathed the breath of life, consisting 
of a clean shirt, one pair of woolen stockings, and a Bible; 
together with about two dollars, one third of which I had 
to pay for my ride. It is not the amount of money young 
men receive, when they first set out in the world, that 
does them the most good ; for it would have been better 
for many if they had started poor, and been put on their 
own shifts ; then they would have learned some of the 
lessons I learned, the benefits of which I have found in 
all the places I have been, and in all the various relations 
and stations I have occupied. When I went to Arbroath, 
I fell into employment with an honest, religious man, who 
proved a friend and a father to me; and with whom I 
lived a year very happily. Here I was now in the midst 
of strangers, but under the care of Him who is "the stranger's 
shield. " It was in that place, under the directions of God, 
that my mind as to spiritual matters underwent a change 
for the better; and where sentiments were imbibed, and 
habits formed, which in after years became more con- 
firmed and matured, and which to the present time still 
remain with me. It is, generally, the first step a young 
man takes when he leaves home, and the companions he 
then makes choice of, that tend to form his character, 
either for good or bad, during life. Young persons who 
have been brought up in the fear of God cannot therefore 
be too careful of the companions they make choice of 
when they go from home; for youthful impressions made 
either for good or evil will, in all probability, cling to them 
for life. The earlier in the spring the seed is sown, the 
deeper root it takes: so also, the spring time of youth is 
the time to have the seed of truth and true godliness sown 
in the heart, which will make their appearance in after life. 
"They who walk with wise men shall be wise, but the com- 
panion of fools shall be destroyed/' 1 — "I love them that 
love me, and they who seek me early shall find me" 

In Arbroath I met with kind friends, who took an 
interest in me, because they saw me to be industrious, honest, 
and given to observe the Lord's day. It was there, also, 
where I first became acquainted with the Seceders, whose 
place of worship I regularly attended. Though they were 
a sect every where spoken against, because they were more 



6 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



rigid in their discipline, and more strict in the admission 
of members to their communion, than other denomina- 
tions, and because they tormented those who dwelt in 
"the Auld Kirk," and in the Burgher and Relief churches, 
with their testimony, which they lifted up against their 
latitudinarian sentiments and practices; yet I found the 
excellent ones of the earth dwelt among them. Their 
ministers were generally men of profound learning; pious, 
faithful, and diligent ; with Zion's purity, peace, and pros- 
perity lying near their hearts. They were wise observers 
of the signs of the times (not dumb dogs who would not 
bark) ; and were always prepared to answer with accuracy 
the question put by the earnest inquirer, — " Watchman, 
what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?" Their 
people then were well acquainted with the Scriptures, and 
the principles of their own and other churches in the land, 
and were able to give a reason for the hope that was in 
them, as well as why they preferred their own denomina- 
tion to any other. They were not like many who take 
up a profession without understanding what it is, and 
therefore soon drop it and fall in with another; but they 
sat down, counted the cost, informed their minds as to 
its nature and consequences, and then held it fast con- 
scientiously and fearlessly. It was during the early 
periods of the Secession Church's history of which it could 
with propriety be said, that she had "put on her beautiful 
garments, and looked forth as the morning, fair as the 
moon, clear as the sun, and terrible to her enemies as an 
army with banners." Though upwards of half a century 
has passed away since I first became acquainted with her 
doctrines, discipline, and government, as founded on the 
Scriptures and held forth in her Testimony, yet I still love 
them, and earnestly pray that the God of our fathers would 
raise up faithful witnesses who shall maintain them, and 
hand them down, pure and in tire, to generations yet un- 
born. "Arise, O Lord, and plead the cause which is thine 
own !" 

After having been a year in the above mentioned place, 
he in whose employment I was, informed me in a friendly 
manner, that I had learned all he could show me, and that 
it would be in my favor to seek some other place where I 
could receive more information as to my trade, and obtain 



OF KEY. JOHN GRAHAM. 



7 



better wages. This put me rather to a stand ; not know- 
ing what I could do, or where I could go. But He of 
Avhom I asked counsel opened a door for me, and led me 
in ways I knew not, and caused light to arise on my path. 
I had a sister of my father living in Edinburgh, to whom 
I wrote, inquiring whether she thought I could obtain 
employment there; and whether I could board with her. 
She wrote me an encouraging letter. I accordingly left 
the place where I had spent many happy days and found 
many kinds friends ; sailed for Leith in a small sloop (for 
in those days there were no steamboats); and arrived in 
Edinburgh, with more experience of the world, more es- 
tablished in the faith once delivered to the saints, and with 
better clothing and more money to pay my way than when 
I left home a year before. This was in the spring of 1815, 
before the battle of Waterloo, when trade of every kind was 
brisk. Men were scarce, and wages very high. I got 
immediately into employment with a good man, an elder 
in Dr. Jamieson's church (Seceder), who carried on an ex- 
tensive business in Prince's street, in the New Town ; often 
employing from twenty to thirty men. He soon dis- 
covered that I was sober, industrious, and did my work well ; 
and that I did not fall in with those around me who drank 
beer, and whiskey, and porter, both secretly at their work, 
and regularly at the tavern at night. This caused him 
put more confidence in me, and show me more favors, than 
some of the rest. At this they became displeased, and, like 
Joseph's brethren, did all they could, to discourage me and 
drive me out of their way; by calling me a mean, greedy, 
long-faced Seceder, because I would not go along with 
them in the evenings to the tavern. But they, by degrees, 
found out that neither threatenings nor abusive language 
could drive me away from the shop, or turn me from my 
purpose not to drink with them, nor make any of them 
my companions ; and they soon let me alone. Some of 
my bitterest enemies became my warmest friends ; and 
expressed a wish that they could only follow my example, 
for they were persuaded it would be far better both for 
their purse and person. " When a man's ways please the 
Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with 
him." , We have a striking instance of this in the case 
of Joseph, who was young, and in the midst of strangers 



s 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND KEMINISCENCES 



and bitter enemies : " The Lord was with him; and that 
which he did the Lord made it to prosper." This should 
greatly encourage young persons to resolve not to be laughed 
out of their religion by scoffers ; or be driven from the 
path of duty by threatenings, or drawn away by entice- 
ments. " My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." 
In these circumstances, they should resist the devil and 
those who are in his service, rather than tamper with them, 
or yield for the sake of either peace or profit ; and they 
shall find it far more to their advantage. Let them say 
what Joseph said, — "Oh, how can I do this great wicked- 
ness and sin against God?" 

After having been five years in the same place with my 
good friend Mr. W., I found my health giving way, arising 
from the close confinement and long hours, from six in the 
morning to seven in the evening, both summer and winter. 
It was evident that if I did not soon turn myself to some 
other employment, and obtain more exercise in the open 
air, I could not, to all human appearance, stand it very 
long. Besides, I became tired of the company and un- 
godly conversation of those with whom I was necessitated 
to associate ; and I earnestly and frequently prayed that 
God would open up some way for me, in which I could 
have more time to improve my mind, and enjoy the com- 
pany of those who were of my own way of thinking and 
acting. 

I embraced what opportunities I had to obtain infor- 
mation, by attending a prayer meeting every week, and 
taking my turn in the exercises. I had connected myself 
with the Associate Anti-Burgher congregation, Potter 
Row, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Simp- 
son ; a very evangelical and impressive preacher : and thus 
I became acquainted with many a good and intelligent 
man in prayer meetings and other places, which was of 
great benefit to me in after life when I had to pray and 
speak in public. Such meetings for prayer and confer- 
ence are, if properly conducted, excellent theological semi- 
naries, to which if students of divinity were to pay more 
attention, they would not only find benefit to themselves, 
but they would also be better prepared rightly to divide 
the Word of truth, and give every one his portion of meat 
in due season. I also, during one winter, attended a course 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



9 



of lectures on Anatomy, delivered by the celebrated Dr. 
Barclay, in Surgeon Square, from six to seven in the 
evening ; from which I derived a great deal of useful in- 
formation. By attending these and other lectures, I did 
not, however, neglect my work. "When the evening came 
on which I had to attend them, I was the more deligent 
during the day, and left my business an hour before any 
of the other hands; and I was sure to be an hour earlier 
than they in the morning, and was far more refreshed and 
active than some of them, who had continued at their cups, 
songs, and cards until midnight. Such practices as these, 
which many follow, may be agreeable to corrupt nature 
in the meantime, but in the end, and perhaps before that 
time, they 66 will bite as doth a serpent and sting as doth an 
adder." "The end of these things is death." Few if any 
who follow those evil ways "return again, neither take 
they hold of the path of life." May none of you, my young 
friends, be found among such characters! 

As I never had any intention of taking a regular course 
in Anatomy or Surgery, and had not the money to pay 
for a regular ticket, I became acquainted with the door 
keeper, told him my circumstances, and offered him a small 
sum, if he would let me in along with the other students 
to hear the lectures. To this he consented on the express 
condition, that I should not come up stairs and enter the 
room with my crutch, as the Doctor would detect me as 
being an intruder, he having no student among the three 
hundred and upwards who wore such an appendage. 
Rather than lose the lecture, I concluded to conceal my 
crutch in a certain place at the bottom of the stair out- 
side, and walk in with a cane. This I continued to do 
for most of the winter, without ever being discovered; 
but on coming down stairs one evening, and going to take 
hold of my old friend, (my crook in my lot,) it was gone, 
I knew not where. I found out that some of the wild 
wags had discovered where I concealed it, and had run 
away with it, to make sport for themselves and others. I 
made out to get home without it; and from that day to 
this I have made out to get through the world with the 
help of a hand staff or cane only. 

u 



10 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY AjSTD REMINISCENCES 



CHAPTER II. 

FROM MY BECOMING A STUDENT AND ENTERING COLLEGE, TO 4 
MY SETTLEMENT AT CROSSHILL IN AYRSHIRE AS TEACHER 
OF THE SCHOOL ENDOWED BY ELIAS CATHCART, ESQ. 

Doubt and perplexity as to my future means of support if I should 
abandon my trade and become a student — Opened a school — 
Commenced the study of Latin and Greek — Entered College — 
The course of studies — Trials and difficulties as to my means of 
Living — Was present at the union of the Burgher and Anti- 
Burgher churches — The scene described — The Protestors and 
their sentiments in regard to that union — Joined myself to 
the Protestors — The Protestors start a church in Edinburgh, 
with Eev. Professor Paxton as Pastor — which greatly flourished 
— His high character as a Preacher — Commencement of the 
Theological Seminary of the General Associate Synod, with Mr. 
Paxton as Professor — Entered the Theological Seminary — 
Found the benefits of my exercises in prayer-meetings, etc. — 
Continued straitened circumstances — Consequent anxiety and 
despondency — Kemarkable Providential opening and deliver- 
ance from these — Entered into a three years' engagement to 
teach Mr. Cathcart's school in Ayrshire — Arrived at the house 
of Dr. George Stevenson — His great kindness to me — Reached 
Crosshill, my destination — Its neighborhood the scenes of per- 
secution of the Covenanters — Their tomb-stones still to be seen 
among the hills and solitary glens — My emotions in my frequent 
visits to their graves — These visits confirmed my love to the 
principles of the Reformation for which they suffered. 

Never in any former period was I more at a loss 
what to do than at that time. To remain much longer 
in the situation I then was would endanger my health ; 
and my spiritual improvement and comfort in the com- 
pany of my fellow-workmen were almost at an end. But 
how I could give up my present calling — the only way 
providence had given me to make a living — and take up 
some other means of support, I knew not. I was then 
twenty years of age; had made out to clear my own way 
and assist my parents, who stood much in need of assist- 
ance ; but I had nothing over. I was poor and friendless, 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



11 



and not in good health. I had wealthy relations, both in 
Edinburgh and in Montrose, who could have assisted rue 
to obtain an education, but they would not ; partly be- 
cause I was connected with the Seceders, whom they dis- 
liked, but principally, because they were of the same 
opinion with others, that I never would succeed if I should 
give up my trade, and follow learning, and therefore they 
should never be remunerated. It was true, I found many 
students,belonging both to the Establishment and Secession, 
who had come to Edinburgh poor and friendless, and who 
pushed their way by teaching, attended College and after- 
wards the Theological Hall, and at last obtained license 
to preach the gospel at home, or who went to America or 
some distant land; but before they began to teach, they 
had themselves been taught either in academies or in parish 
schools, or both, before they came to the city, and there- 
fore were well grounded and prepared to teach others ; 
whereas I was lamentably deficient; could only read and 
write moderately well ; but knew scarcely any thing about 
Arithmetic, Grammar, or Geography. After asking 
counsel and direction from above, and deliberating the 
matter fully, as I thought, I concluded to break off, and 
launch my frail bark on the ocean, without helm, chart, 
or compass. A hazardous undertaking ! And although 
I succeeded far beyond my own expectations, or that of 
any who knew me; yet I would never recommend any to 
try the same experiment, and to be tossed and dashed with 
the merciless billows and cross winds of adversity, unless 
they should be better prepared to steer their course and 
encounter dangers, than I was. But when there is a strong 
irrepressible desire existing in the mind, to be useful in the 
church, and to promote His glory who has " revealed his 
Son in them, and called them by his grace," let them not 
be discouraged or give up hope, though the sky for a time 
may be dark and lowering and the winds and waves may 
be contrary. Let them trust in their blessed Redeemer, 
who can come at the darkest hour in the night, when the 
dangers are at their hight, and say to the troubled sea, — 
" Peace, be still I" and immediately there will be a calm. 
Their beginnings may be small, and their dangers may be 
many, like mine, but, through the blessing of the God of 
Jacob, their latter end may greatly increase. Where God 
intends to lead us, he can open up a way for us. 



12 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



But to resume my narrative. I thought if I could only 
contrive some way by which I could do something to sup- 
port myself, however pinchingly, and could have oppor- 
tunity to improve myself in those branches of which I was 
deficient, then I might have the prospect of being better 
qualified to instruct others in due time. I accordingly 
rented a room in Buccleuch street ; furnished it in a rough 
manner ; and hung out my sign as a teacher of young 
children. I met with as much encouragement the first 
few months as couid have been expected. I applied my- 
self diligently to learn, and Embraced every opportunity 
to qualify myself more for my profession, so that before a 
year expired I was as well qualified for teaching the com- 
mon branches as some others who had earlier advantages, 
and began to infer from the encouragement Providence 
had given me, that I should take courage and persevere 
in prosecuting my education for the ministry, however 
much I was embarrassed for means, and however dark and 
discouraging the prospect still was. My health by exer- 
cise became greatly improved, although my meals (mostly 
of oatmeal and milk, with sometimes a loaf of wheat 
bread,) were not very sumptuous, nor my clothing any of 
the finest or most fashionable. In the midst of all my 
poverty, I felt happy and thankful that I could choose my 
companions, and attend to religious duties. I was like a 
bird which, after having been long confined in a cage, was 
set at liberty to fly in the open air. 

I commenced the study of Latin and Greek with a 
private teacher, and was at it late at night and early in 
the morning; so that, when the second winter came round, 
I was prepared to enter the Junior classes in College; to 
attend which I had to make my school hours correspond, 
which caused many of my scholars leave me. Preparing 
my lessons for college and attending my school at the same 
time, I found to be very laborious both for body and mind, 
and very much to impede my progress. My first year was 
the worst. The second and third years, with Logic, 
Mathematics, Chemistry, and Moral Philosophy, were 
much more easy and agreeable. While some who were 
neither pinched with poverty nor perplexed and exhausted 
by teaching, and who had youth on their side, were devoting 
the whole of their time to their studies, and laying up a 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



13 



foundation for future usefulness ; I, along with many others 
whose education had been neglected in youth, was lagging 
behind, striving against wind and tide, and struggling to 
keep my head above water ; the consequences of which 
were felt in after years. "Some," says the proverb, "are 
born with a silver spoon in their mouth, and others with 
a wooden ladle." While some are gliding smoothly and 
pleasantly down the tide of time, without meeting w T ith 
any interruptions; others are encountering one storm on 
the back of another. All these are appointed and over- 
ruled by Him, "who is wonderful in counsel and excellent 
in working." If we are among the called according to 
His purpose, every wave which He sends is calculated to 
waft our frail bark the more quickly forward to the haven 
of everlasting rest, where tempests never beat, nor billows 
roar. 

While I was attending college, the basis of union between 
the Burgher and Anti-Burgher churches was published, 
and caused much discussion throughout the land, both 
from the pulpit and from the press. I read much on both 
sides of the question. My school-house being convenient 
to the places where both Synods held their meetings, I 
attended their debates, and had good opportunity for ob- 
taining information. I was present in the General Associate 
Synod on the memorable night before they were to drop 
their Testimony, meet their Burgher brethren, and form 
one united body. Long, earnest, and animated were the 
speeches that were made that night, both for and against 
the union; no small commotion, at times, existed among 
them. Some of those who were the most bitter opponents 
of it, were its warmest friends next clay, and were found 
marching in the front rank. Both Synods met at their 
respective places, constituted and marched in a body, two 
and two, to Dr. Pedie's church; and there joined hands, 
sang, prayed, and chose Rev. Mr. Greig of Lochgellie as 
Moderator, being the oldest member present, who consti- 
tuted the United church. 

Those whose minds were made up I remember of see- 
ing, the night before the General Associate Synod threw 
up their testimony, coming forward deeply impressed and 
much overcome with the prospect of what was to take 
place on the morrow. It was late at night when the vote 



14 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



was taken, which showed a large majority for union ; when 
Dr. Stevenson of Ayr, (Author of " The Necessity of the 
Atonement " and of "The Offices of Christ/' etc.,) along 
with a few others, came to the bar of the Synod and 
solemnly protested against it, in their own names and in 
the names of all those who should now or afterwards ad- 
here to them. During that solemn scene the most profound 
silence prevailed in the house, many both among the mem- 
bers and the audience shedding tears. The protestors 
maintained, that by uniting on the Basis, the Synod evi- 
dently gave up the Testimony of 1804, which they were 
bound to hold fast by their ordination vows, and to hand 
down unimpaired to posterity; thus relinquishing the 
ground occupied by their fathers of the Secession : and they 
claimed the right to continue to exercise their ministry, and 
to maintain the principles and constitution of the General 
Associate Synod. They asserted, that by a union taking 
place on the proposed basis, a wide door would be opened 
for the introduction of latitudinarian sentiments and 
practices on Communion and Psalmody. Many lamenta- 
ble evidences of the truth of these assertions have taken 
place since that time; among which are to be reckoned 
the union with the Relief Synod, and the adopting and 
making use of a book in the praises of God, containing 
three hundred hymns. May these things be a warning 
to other churches not to be desirous of leaving the good old 
way in which their fathers walked and found peace to 
their souls, lest "Ichabod, the glory is departed from 
Israel," be written on them ! 

The Union, of which I was an eye witness, while it af- 
forded to some joy and gladness, and was by them looked 
upon as the dawning of the latter day glory of the church, 
when " the wolf and the lamb shall lie down together was 
to others in the land who trembled for the ark of God, mat- 
ter of lamentation. These were convinced that she who 
was formerly terrible as an army with banners, had become 
weak, exposed to every attack from her enemies. It was 
said, " Judgment is turned away backward, and justice 
standeth afar off; for truth has fallen in the street, and 
equity cannot enter." I never had clearness to enter the 
Union, though many of my acquaintance had — believing 
it to be dropping a testimony for the doctrines of the 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



15 



Reformation, as witnessed for by the early fathers of the 
Secession Church. I had fully made up my mind to join 
with the Protestors, and do what I could to uphold the 
" banner given to be displayed because of the truth." 
While some of my most intimate fellow students who be- 
longed to the same church and attended the same prayer 
meetings, and went through the same classes at college as 
I did, went into the Union, where they thought a wider 
field was opened for them and a more popular church ; 
where the loaves and the fishes were in more abundance; 
I, through divine assistance, chose rather to cast in my 
lot among the few faithful and despised Protestors; and I 
had never any reason to repent of it. 

It was some time after the Union took place before the 
Protestors met in a formal manner, and declared what 
was to be their future course. This left many of their 
friends at a loss to know what to do. This was the case 
with many in Edinburgh and Leith. We had no minister 
in these places, as all went into the Union. It was there- 
fore agreed, to request Professor Paxton, who lived in the 
city, but who in consequence of not going into the Union 
had been put out of his office as teacher of Theology, to 
preach for us ; to which he cheerfully consented. A place 
of worship was procured for him in the Grass Market, 
and the first day he preached, it was crowded to overflow- 
ing. His text was, — "My God hath sent his angel, and 
hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." 
Dan. vi. 22. The number of those who adhered to him 
increased so much, that they erected a large and elegant 
meeting house in the centre of the old town, which was 
always filled with an attentive audience. He continued 
their faithful pastor until the day of his death, which took 
place in 1833. Perhaps no one ever walked more up- 
rightly, or was more devoted to his Master's service, or was 
more esteemed as a gentleman, a scholar, and an able and 
eloquent preacher of the gospel. He was admired wherever 
he preached, both in the city and in the country; and 
never failed to collect an audience. He had a fluent, 
earnest, animated, and accurate manner, in delivering his 
discourses; which were always of an evangelical nature, 
full of Christ and Him crucified. The most important 
of his published works was one in three volumes, titled, 



16 AUTOBIOGKAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



"Illustrations of the Holy Scriptures, in three parts; I. 
From the geography of the East. XL From the natural 
history of the East. III. From the customs and manners 
of ancient and modern nations." He was a kind friend 
to me, both when I was a student and a preacher. 

The Theological Seminary, or what in Scotland is called 
u The Divinity Hall," met in Mr. Paxton's house, and 
then consisted of only six students, myself being one of 
the number. This was a great change to Professor Pax- 
ton, for when he was Professor of the General Associate 
Synod, he often had attending his lectures upwards of one 
hundred and fifty students, many of whom came from 
Ireland. We r II found him fatherly, kind, and accom- 
modating; although he was at the sametime rigid in his 
discipline, and kept us attending to our duty. 

It was then I found the benefit of having accustomed 
myself to pray and speak in the presence of others, and 
of having made myself familiar with my Bible, Boston's 
Fourfold State, Fisher's Catechism, and Watson's Body 
of Divinity. Professor Paxton taught Hebrew in the 
winter; in which I made more progress than in some of 
my other studies, and got ahead of the other students, 
though they surpassed me in Greek and Latin, they having 
been learning these languages when I was working hard 
to make a living and assist my parents. None all my 
life could say of me what Festus said to Paul, — " Much 
learning hath made thee mad." 

At that stage of my studies I still held on to the school; 
but I found my income insufficient to clear my way, and 
keep myself in respectable clothing and lodgings. This 
caused me to be often cast down and discouraged; so much 
so, that I was asked if I was well, for I looked sad and 
melancholy. No one can form any adequate idea of the 
state of mind in which one is found, who wishes to live 
honestly and respectably before the world, and yet can see 
no way by which it can be accomplished, unless he has 
experienced it. I never complained to man in my straits, 
as I knew of none who would relieve me; and because, if 
they should, I had no prospect of repaying them. At this 
crisis, as well as at previous and subsequent times, God 
made light to arise, and opened a door for me which no 
one was able to shut. My kind friend Professor Paxton 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



17 



having heard that Elias Cathcart, Esquire, son of Lord 
Alloway, was making inquiry after a young man to teach 
a school which he was to establish on his Estate in Ayr- 
shire for the benefit of his feuers and farmers, sent for me, 
and said to me, that if I would go without delay and make 
application, he would give me a letter of introduction and 
recommendation. I fixed myself up as well as I could, like 
Joseph when he was to appear before Pharaoh, (although 
my outer garments were thread bare, yet I always endeav- 
ored to keep myself as neat and clean as possible;) and 
called on Mr. Cathcart, who lived in a spacious mansion 
in the New Town ; presented my letter ; and was kindly 
entertained, and treated in a Christian manner, as if I had 
been his equal. He explained where he proposed to com- 
mence his school, what he wanted taught in it, and how 
much he would give the teacher. I agreed to his terms ; 
which were that I should sign a bond to teach for three 
years the common branches taught in country schools, and 
also should teach a Sabbath-school ; for which I was to 
receive from him $200, a free house and garden, and all 
the fees I could raise from the scholars; with permission 
to have seven weeks of a vacation, so that I could attend 
the Theological Seminary at Edinburgh. Though Mr. 
Cathcart and family were members of the Established 
Church, yet they hated patronage, and the domineering 
spirit of many of her ministers in matters both civil and 
religious ; and he therefore enjoined me never to let any of 
the members of the Presbytery have any management in 
the school: and if they interfered with me, to let him 
know, and he would make them suffer for it. This was 
greatly in my favor, as I afterwards found. The hand of 
God in all this was most conspicuously displayed; for, 
while numbers of students who had completed their col- 
legiate course were waiting in Edinburgh and looking out 
for situations, who were far more suitable both in body 
and mind then I was, they could not take out of my lap 
that which was disposed of to me by His love and mercy, 
who works according to the counsel of his own will. "If 
God be for us who can be against us?" 

I set out for Ayrshire, in good spirits; Mr. C. paying 
my expenses on the stage all the way, (in those days there 
were no rail-roads; this was in 1825). I landed in the 



18 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



house of my good friend and spiritual father Dr. George 
Stevenson; to whose table, library, and family I was 
always made welcome during my stay in that part of the 
country, and from whom I derived much important infor- 
mation. Crossbill was the name of the village in which 
I taught, in the Parish of Kirkmichael, twelve miles from 
the town of Ayr, and three from Maybole, through which 
passed the pleasant water of Girvan. The village was 
composed principally of weavers, mechanics, and day- 
laborers. The country around was beautiful, healthy, and 
in a high state of cultivation. It was one of the many mem- 
orable places in the west of Scotland in which the advocates 
of despotism hunted the true friends of Christ like wild 
beasts, and cut them down in the open fields without 
mercy, during the persecuting times of Dalziel and the 
bloody Grahame of Claverhouse. 

Often have I wandered on the hills and solitary glens, 
and examined with feelings of awe the long gray moss 
covered stones, beneath which lay the ashes of those who 
died for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus 
Christ; and I always returned with a stronger attachment 
to the Reformation cause, and stronger resolutions to do 
what I could to uphold it. "The memory of the just is 
blessed : but the name of the wicked shall rot." This has 
been fulfilled, both as it respects the persecutors and the 
persecuted: the former are despised by all right thinking 
and well-informed persons; while the latter are esteemed 
in all parts of the world, and will be held in everlasting 
remembrance. "And I saw under the altar the souls of 
them that were slain for the word of God and for the tes- 
timony which they held : and they cried with a loud voice, 
saying ; How long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not 
judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the 
earth?" 



OF KEV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



19 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM MY SETTLEMENT AS SCHOOLMASTER AT CROSSHILL TO MY 
BEING LICENSED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. 

My school at Crosshill — Its prosperity — Eeligious state of the 
neighborhood — Attended Rev. Dr. Stevenson's church in Ayr- 
Beautiful scenery — Places celebrated by the Poet Burns in his 
poem of Tarn o' Shanter — Spiritual ignorance of the people of 
Crosshill — Opened a religious meeting on Sabbath evenings for 
their instruction — Opposition of Satan and his servants — In 
which they were signally foiled — Unexpected call to prepare 
for entering on the ministry of the Gospel — Left Crosshill — 
Trial discourses for licensure — Licensed to preach. 

At Crosshill, I had one of the best lighted, largest, and 
best furnished school houses in that part of the country ; 
the proprietor sparing no cost to make every thing suita- 
ble. It had a large bell hung in a belfry, which was rung 
to collect the scholars, both on working days and Sabbath 
evenings. I got into comfortable and respectable board- 
ing. I began with a few scholars at very low fees, which 
they paid every Monday morning; but the number soon 
increased to between 70 and 80 during the week, and on 
the Sabbath evenings there were upwards of a hundred at 
certain seasons of the year. What tended greatly to in- 
crease the number of my scholars and gain the attention 
of the community was, the deep interest Mr. Cathcart and 
his Lady took in having the young educated, and the evi- 
dences of this they gave in erecting a school bouse, sending 
out and supporting a teacher, supplying the scholars with 
slates, books, paper, pens and ink, besides sending num- 
bers of Bibles, Psalm-books, Catechisms, and Tracts, to be 
distributed either gratuitously or at a very small price, as I 
should think proper. This had a great influence in bring- 
ing me and my school into notice. I was looked on as a 



20 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



person of no small importance and influence (little did 
they know my origin or my defects,) brought all the way 
from the great city of Edinburgh, at the instance and acting 
under the authority of Elias Cathcart, Esq., of Blairstone 
Castle and Crossbill, and protected by him. I never was 
before in a situation of so great importance and responsi- 
bility, or in which I was so comfortable and so much respect- 
ed; but I trust I endeavoured to act a prudent and faithful 
part, and not to forget the Lord's goodness in placing me 
there, in the midst of so many mercies. This shows that 
we should never despair of deliverance from trouble. 
" Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in 
the land, and. verily thou shalt be fed." — "Commit thy way 
to the Lord; "trust also in him: and He shall bring it 
to pass." 

In my new situation, I soon began to feel the want of 
the religious society to which I was accustomed in Edin- 
burgh. We were three miles from the Parish church, to 
which few if any ever went ; the Pastor being a rank So- 
cinian in his sentiments, and in his practice a lover of 
wine and strong drink, many lamentable instances of 
which I saw, when he came to our village. The patron 
had put him in, and it was almost impossible to get him 
and other such like characters out of the church in those 
days. At Maybole there was a diligent, evangelical min- 
ister in the Parish church, and a Burgher minister also ; 
but for peace, as well as for conscience sake, I never went 
near any of them. Dr. Stevenson, of whose congregation I 
was a member, was twelve miles distant. I got a pony of 
my own, and I commonly went to Ayr on Saturday after- 
noon when the school was dismissed, and returned halfway 
after sermon, and stopped at Blairstone Castle over night, 
and reached home in time for school on Monday morning. 
I could only go occasionally however, as my engagements 
bound me to attend to the Sabbath-school. The road I 
travelled to and from Ayr in summer was among the most 
beautiful in Scotland, being along the "banks of bonnie 
Doon," and other places rendered classic by Robert Burns. 
I had to pass the humble thatch-roofed house in which 
Scotland's best poet was born ; into which I sometimes 
went, and had a talk with one of his old cronies, who kept 
the house, and who had many anecdotes to tell about him. 



OF RET. JOHN GRAHAM. 



21 



I had also to pass "the cairn, whar' the hunter fand the 
murdered bairn and "the well whar' Mungo's niither 
hanged herselV- also "the Auld Alio way Kirk," where 
Tarn O'Shanter got such a fright, the witches coming out 
on him in such a fury, and to escape whose clutches he 
urged on his mare Meg to " win the Keystane o ? the brig," 
that is, the old bridge that spanned the Doon ; which once 
passed, he would be in safety, since, as the popular belief 
ran, witches and evil spirits had no power to follow a poor 
wight for harm any further than the middle of the next 
running stream! 

The people among whom my lot was cast were generally 
very ignorant in spiritual things, none having cared for 
their souls, nor attended to their religious education, or that 
of their children. I felt deeply for them, and often wished 
I could devise some way by which I could assemble the 
grown up persons together, and get them to engage in re- 
ligious exercises, that it might, by the divine blessing, be 
for their benefit. At last I concluded that I would meet 
with them every Sabbath evening when the school was 
dismissed, and engage in Praise and Prayer, explain a Ques- 
tion in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, and then con- 
clude as I commenced. This was the beginning of no 
small labor to myself; and at one time was like to bring 
me into difficulty with the Presbytery to which I was sub- 
ordinate, through the instrumentality of certain envious, 
designing persons. I continued these meetings regularly 
during the winter, and usually had the house filled with 
an orderly, attentive audience. I endeavoured to prepare 
myself during the week, and on Sabbath when not from 
home, by reading Fisher, Vincent, and Boston, on the 
Assembly's Shorter Catechism; by which means I in- 
formed myself on those doctrines which I tried to explain 
to others. I had great liberty in the exercises, both in 
praying and speaking ; and I had good reason to believe 
that my labors among them were not altogether in vain. 

But while every thing was going on well, and all were 
seemingly interested and satisfied, the enemy of souls 
stirred up certain of his friends to do what they could to 
sow discord, and break up our meetings. If we are only 
pleased with an outward form in religion, and do not try 
to promote the spiritual kingdom of Christ, the good of 



22 



AUTOBIOGEAPHY AND EEMINISCENCES 



our own souls, and that of others, the devil will let us alone 
and not disturb our false peace; but as soon as he finds 
us doing any thing to incroach on his kingdom, we may 
rest satisfied, he w r ill cast dust in our eyes, or bring us 
into trouble by some means or other. The Parish min- 
ister who should have rejoiced to see me doing what I 
could to instruct his parishoners whose eternal interests he 
had neglected, became mad against us, and openly declared 
I was keeping conventicles, in which heresy and damnable 
doctrines were taught ; and said that he would head a few 
some evening and break us up. This, however, he did 
not attempt, and it was well for him he did not. He as- 
serted that I was " preaching Secederism;" and that since 
I began, fewer than before came near the Kirk. More- 
over, our Burgher brother in Maybole also took the 
alarm, and became afaid I was drawing away some of his 
sheep from his fold, and that it was my intention to lead 
them in among the Protestors; than which nothing was 
further from my mind. It seems, though they could not 
shut up our "conventicles," they tried another method, 
which appeared at first to be more successful ; which was, to 
tell Rev. Dr. Stevenson that his student at Crosshill was 
carrying on preaching regularly every Sabbath evening, 
and ought to be stopped by Presbytery, as he had not 
got his license. Not knowing any thing of the false and 
malicious reports that were industriously circulated to in- 
jure my usefulness and perplex me and others, I called 
on Dr. Stevenson as usual; when I discovered he was 
concerned about something which I was disposed to be- 
lieve had a reference to me. He took me aside, and told 
me what he had heard about me preaching ; and wished 
to know if it were true. I told him what I had done, and 
what were my reasons for commencing these evening 
meetings, and all about how they were conducted and 
attended, and how Mr. K. the Parish minister had treated 
me : when the good aged man of God put his hand on my 
head and said, — "Persevere, my lad, and do all the good 
you can among the folk in that destitute region; be not 
terrified by your adversaries, and God will bless you for 
it." I continued these meetings without molestation all 
the time I was there, without asking from the people 
either fee or reward. 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



23 



Things went on very encouragingly; and I lived com- 
fortably, and usefully, and became more and more respected 
by the community; and I felt thankful that I had a home, 
and the prospect of remaining in it for years to come. 
But alas ! how shortsighted we are ! and how changeable is 
every situation in which we find ourselves in this world ! 
While I was consoling myself with being in a safe and 
convenient harbor, events were brought about over which 
I had no control, which caused me to loose from my moor- 
ings, face the storms, and steer in a course of which I knew 
nothing of the dangers and difficulties, and for which I 
was ill prepared. The union between Dr. McCrie's body, 
known as the Constitutional Presbytery, and the Protes- 
tors, or Associate Synod to which I belonged, had taken 
place, and the united body was known by the name of 
u The Original Seceders." This union caused a demand 
for more preachers to supply the vacancies, most of which 
were small and far removed from each other ; and Synod 
agreed to take three students on trial for license, and I 
was one of the number, having been three Sessions at the 
Theological Seminary. This put me more about than any 
thing I had met with for a long time. I told them very 
plainly that I had a year to remain where I was, according 
to my engagement ; and therefore could not comply with 
their request: but, in order to remove that objection, Pro- 
fessor Paxton called on Mr. Cathcart, and told him that 
if he would let me go, he would send another of his stu- 
dents to take my place, who would carry out the same 
plans which I had followed. This succeeded, and I was 
under the unpleasant necessity of complying. I was ex- 
ceedingly sorry to leave the place w^here I was so com- 
fortable, where I had so many friends, and where God in 
his providence had blessed me with so much countenance. 
It was rather a sorrowful parting to my scholars, to the 
people, and to myself; and in going away, I cast many a 
longing, lingering look behind. Since that time the 
Estate has fallen into other hands; the number of in- 
habitants has greatly increased; two fine churches have 
been erected, with two able ministers, one belonging to 
the Free Church, the other to the Established; with 
Sabbath and Day schools; and there are also cotton factories 
in operation. Such is the transitory nature of things in 
this world. 



24 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



I went into Ayr and remained in Dr. Stevenson's house; 
where I had access to his library, and experienced much 
kindness from him and the family. I there prepared my 
trial discourses for license ; which I delivered at a meeting 
of Presbytery held at Kilwinning, on a Monday after the 
Sacrament. This was a very solemn and impressive occa- 
sion to me, and produced such effects on both my body 
and mind, as rendered me almost unfit for any thing. I 
scarcely knew where I was or what I was doing for some 
time. My trial discourses were approved, and I received 
license. Thus the Lord, who had hitherto helped me and 
delivered me from many dangers, exceeding my hopes and 
disappointing my fears, opened a way for me by which I 
could serve him in the ministry of the Gospel of his Son. 
It was evidently a convincing proof of His sovereign grace 
and mercy, in passing by many of my early companions, 
who to all human appearance were more likely to be useful 
in his church than I, who was poor, lame, friendless, and 
well advanced in years : but so it seemed good in His sight ! 
He often chooses the weak things of this world to con- 
found the strong, and the foolish to confound the wise, 
that none may glory in His presence. 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



25 



CHAPTER IV. 

FROM MY COMMENCING TO PREACH IN SCOTLAND, TILL I 
LANDED IN NEW YORK. 

Preached throughout Scotland and in the north of Ireland — 
Hardships that we preachers endured — Death of my father — 
Besolved to emigrate to America — Preached in Edinburgh 
and Glasgow my farewell sermons — Sailed for New York — 
First storm at sea — A second and terrific sea-storm — Preach- 
ing at sea — Beauty of New York bay — Arrived safe at New 
York. 

I Preached my first Sermon in public after license, 
in my old school-house at Cross-hill, from Gen. iii. 
13,— " What is this that thou hast done?" When I 
began preaching, I was much troubled with a slavish 
fear of man, which embarrassed me much, but by ex- 
perience it wore away. The vacancies were weak, and 
their distance from each other was great, which caused 
us have a great deal of travelling backward and forward. 
This was performed either on horse-back or stage-coach, 
as railroads were not then in operation. This caused 
much labour, and afforded little time for studying new 
discourses; so that the few barley loaves and small 
fishes I carried about with me soon became used up, 
and there was little opportunity of having others put 
in their place. However, I tried to do what I could 
to sustain the cause for which our fathers appeared in 
opposition to the enemy who was coming in like a flood : 
though at times I was not a little discouraged with the 
dark prospect of obtaining any thing like a comfortable 
settlement; but in this I do not know that I was worse 
than other preachers who were exposed to the same 

B* 



26 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



hardships. We were often very poorly paid for our 
labour; scarcely able at times to make our income meet 
our outlay; and very often had poor and unsuitable 
accommodations: but I had been accustomed to these 
things in former times, and therefore did not take so 
ill with them as some who were brought up in affluence. 
Though the people were few and generally poor to 
whom we had to pre^gh, yet they were pious, intelligent, 
and strongly attached to their profession; to maintain 
which they were exposed to reproach and persecution. 
When we knew this, it made us put up with many 
inconveniences. I had been in most of the counties of 
Scotland preaching, as far north as John o' Groat's 
House, in Thurso, Wick, and the Orkney Isles; also 
a month in the north of Ireland, where I had the plea- 
sure of walking on the walls of Derry and on the Giants' 
Causeway. I also preached occasionally in the cities 
or towns of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, Ar- 
broath, Montrose, and Aberdeen — with what accep- 
tance it is not for me to say. I did what I could to 
preach Christ and Him crucified, not in fine rounded 
periods and words of man's wisdom, but in " sound 
speech that could not be condemned." 

Rather better than a year after I began to preach, 
my father died in Montrose, (my mother had died in 
Aberdeen eight years before that;) notice of which 
event reached me on a Sabbath morning when I was 
preaching by appointment at Midholm, the congrega- 
tion of which Mr. Arnot was formerly Pastor; who 
and Mr. Gelletly were the first missionaries sent to 
America in 1754 by the General Associate Synod. 
That afternoon I preached from Hosea xiv. 3, — "In 
Thee the fatherless findeth mercy." Little did I know 
that I was then fatherless; or that so many things I 
was saying to others were applicable to myself. I left 
for Montrose on Monday morning, expecting to be in 
time for the funeral; but it was over before I reached 
that place. I went to the grave-yard and saw where 
they had laid the earthly remains of him who always 
took a deep interest in me, and did what lay in his 
power to encourage me and direct me in the ways of 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



27 



God. I shed a tear of memory o'er his narrow bed; 
and expressed a hope that we should meet each other 
in the same blessed company in the morning of the 
resurrection. Children should think much of, and be 
kind unto their parents while they are with them, for 
they may soon have to part with them. A sister and 
myself were all who were left of the family. I got her 
into a situation in Mr. Cathcart's family, where she 
found herself comfortable. When in Montrose, I called 
on some of my fashionable and wealthy aunts and 
cousins (my uncle with whom I had learned my trade 
was now gone to another world), and I could not but 
observe how differently they treated me than formerly 
they did when I was done with my apprenticeship and 
under the necessity of leaving my father's house to seek 
a living among strangers. Thrice happy are they, 
whether they be old or young, who do not need to de- 
pend on relations! 

I had a desire, when I was attending college, if I 
succeeded, to go to America, as I thought I could have 
more courage and success among strangers ; and this 
desire became stronger after my father's death. He 
was opposed to my leaving my native land, and I did 
not feel disposed to act contrary to his wishes; but now 
I could no more hurt his feelings if I should follow 
out my inclinations in this respect. Accordingly I 
gave notice to the Synod at their meeting in May 1831 
that it was my intention, Providence permitting, to go 
to America in the course of a few months ; and the 
clerk was instructed to furnish me with a certificate. 
This he accordingly did. Having got my affairs ar- 
ranged as well as I could, and having made some 
purchases of books, and obtained many substantial 
evidences of respect from well-wishers of myself and 
of the country whither I was going,* it was arranged 
that I should preach on the Sabbath immediately before 
my departure, in Dr. Paxton's church in Edinburgh 
in the forenoon, and in Dr. McCrie's in the afternoon; 
which I accordingly did, and for which I received a 



*See the Appendix. 



28 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



handsome present in order to assist in paying my pas- 
sage across the Atlantic. 

This was a very memorable period of my life. A 
few years before, I went to that great city a poor stran- 
ger seeking for a day's work ; without any one to aid 
me, and without knowing the face of a single individ- 
ual (except my aunt) amongst the many thousands that 
dwelt there : yet the Lord had opened up for me a way, 
far beyond my own expectations, or those of others, by 
which I was put into the ministry, and permitted to 
preach in the pulpits of two of the most learned and 
popular Ministers of Edinburgh. " This was the -Lord's 
doing " and none of mine, aud was "wondrous in the 
eyes " of all who were acquainted with me. I mention 
these things in order to record the goodness and mercy 
of God to a poor, helpless, unworthy creature: also 
for the encouragement of some humble inquirer after 
knowledge who may be groping his way in the dark, 
and struggling against wind and tide. Let such "trust 
in God" and "be of good courage;" and "He will lead 
them in ways they know not, and in paths that they 
have not trode." They must fight their way, and "en- 
dure hardships as good soldiers of Jesus Christ;" learn 
to put on their armour, and to " keep their powder dry." 
Edinburgh, above all the places I have been in, is the 
one to which my heart turns with the most pleasant 
recollections, and it will continue so to be till life's 
setting day. There I passed ten years, the most im- 
portant period of my life; during which I endured 
many hardships and underwent many changes. There 
I acquired a wide circle of friends and acquaintances 
who were among God's hidden ones and true friends; 
with whom I had sweet fellowship and communion in 
the House of God, in the prayer-meetings, and in our 
more private intercourse both in houses and in our 
frequent walks along by Holy-rood House (the palace 
of the ancient Kings of Scotland), the King's Park, 
Arthur's Seat, Salisbury Crags, Samson's Ribs, St. 
Anthony's Well, &c. There I obtained what little 
learning I got, classical and theological; and there, 
along with ministers, elders, students, and a large num- 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



29 



ber of other persons male and female, with my right 
hand lifted up I vowed, in the presence of God, angels, 
and men, that I would be faithful in appearing for and 
abiding by the Reformation cause, as witnessed for in 
the Testimony of the Original Seceders: and although 
upwards of forty years have passed away since that 
time, and though I am now writing these reminiscences 
in 1868, in my 74th year, in Iowa, one hundred and 
twenty miles west of the Mississippi, I still say, — "Thy 
vows are upon me, O Lord!" Those were the days of 
my espousals to Christ, when the candle of the Lord 
shone bright on my head, and when I experienced great 
searching and enlargement of heart. 

The nearer the time came for me to leave my dear, 
my native land, the more difficult I found it to be to 
snap asunder the ties which bound me to it. It is only 
those who have experienced it who can imagine what 
it is ; words cannot convey it. 

" Land of my sires ! what mortal hand 
Can e'er untie the filial band 
That knits me to thy rugged strand ?" 

The feelings of the highlander on leaving the land of 
his fathers, are beautifully described in the following 
lines by a favorite poet; 

"Farewell! farewell! dear Caledonia's strand ; 
Rough though thou be, yet still my native land: 
Exiled from thee I seek a foreign shore, 
Friends, kindred, country to behold no more." 

Though there was not one on the continent of America 
that I had ever seen, to my knowledge, in the flesh, 
(except a student who was at college with me,) yet I 
had an unshaken confidence in God, that if He had any 
work for me to do on the other side of the Atlantic, 
He would protect me on the mighty deep, and open a 
way by which it would be accomplished. I have lived 
to see my hopes exceeded, and that my confidence iu 
Him was not misplaced: — 

" My mouth the praises of the Lord 
To publish cease shall never," 



30 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



The last Sabbath I preached in Scotland was in Glas- 
gow, for Rev. Matthew Murray (Original Seceder,) when 
on my way to Greenock. But no vessel being ready 
to sail from the Clyde for some time, I went by steam- 
boat to Liverpool, where I remained a week until a 
vessel was ready for sea. Of all the places I have been 
in, Liverpool excelled for wickedness, and for expensive 
living. I was glad to get out of it. 

I was two Sabbaths in Liverpool. On the first, I 
went to the United Presbyterian Chapel, where I met 
with a countryman from Brechin, who took me to his 
pew. A young gentleman dressed in a long black silk 
gown with enormous wide sleeves made his appearance 
in the pulpit, and gave out one of David's Psalms, 
which was sung accompanied with some musical instru- 
ments. On the second and third occasions, the preacher 
gave out Watts' Hymns. I spoke of this to my country- 
man, and asked him how he could reconcile his conduct 
with the way he was brought up : to which he replied : 
a We must conform to the custom of the time and place, 
otherwise we would soon have an empty house" ! Thus, 
thirty eight years ago, was the leaven of hymn-singing 
indulged by that church, which has now leavened the 
whole lump! Let such as are the friends of Scriptural 
Psalmody and wish to hold on in the good old way 
take warning, and check the first appearance of con- 
formity for the sake of numbers, lest they may have 
to repent of it when too late. Errors in doctrine, or 
corruptions in the worship of God, are like the letting 
out of water: the beginning may be small, but none 
can tell how large a stream it may become. I confess 
I am not without my fears as to the way in which some 
things on Communion and Psalmody are drifting in 
our Church ; but I trust the Lord will preserve his 
own cause, and raise up witnesses in its defense, 

I had learnt many lessons to be careful of my means, 
and so did not wish to expend unnecessarily what money 
I had, not knowing how much I might need if ever I 
got across the water, and should have to sojourn I knew 
not where, among strangers. I did not feel disposed, 
therefore, to take a passage in the first cabin, the charge 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



31 



for which was high • neither did I feel disposed to go 
into the steerage and mix with so many swearing, rough 
characters that were found there ; but I chose the second 
cabin, where the company was more select, the accom- 
modation better, and the fare moderate. I provided 
my own bedding, and purchased my own provisions 
which I thought would be sufficient for the voyage, 
and agreed with the coloured cook for so much which 
I was to pay him when we landed in New York pro- 
vided he would make ready my victuals. 

We loosed from our moorings one beautiful morning, 
the first of September 1831, and sailed with a light fair 
wind down the Mersey, having on board about one 
hundred passengers, besides the ship's crew. Before 
the pilot left us, all the passengers were summoned on 
deck, their tickets examined for the voyage, and also 
their provisions to ascertain whether they had enough ; 
as many made a practice of smuggling themselves on 
board without paying or having any provisions, and 
when out at sea of making their appearance and begging 
for a living and a passage to the other side along with 
the rest. All were found correct, excepting two boys 
about the ages of twelve and fourteen, who were found 
without provisions or any one to see after them • and 
never having paid for their passage, they were ordered 
on board the Pilot boat immediately. I did feel deeply 
when I saw the poor boys dragged like dogs, crying ; — 
"O let us go to America to our father, for our mother 
is dead, and we have no one to see to us !" and thrown 
into the boat and their little bundles after them. I 
felt as if I could have paid their passage and given 
them a share of my biscuit, dried beef, potatoes, oat- 
meal, tea, coffee, beans, and apples, but I was afraid of 
the consequences. 

When we got as far down as between Wales and Ire- 
land, a most dangerous coast, the wind changed direct 
from the Atlantic, and soon blew a hurricane, and di- 
rectly in our teeth. Though most of the vessels that 
had sailed in company with us faced the storm and 
got into plenty of sea-room, our captain preferred to 
go through by the Irish Channel, thinking it more safe ; 



32 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



which resolution very nearly proved to have been the 
loss of the ship and all on board. It was a dismal, dark, 
and stormy night; our ship running under close-reefed 
topsails. What rendered our situation more precarious 
was, that neither our Captain nor mate, nor any on 
board, had ever sailed through that narrow passage be- 
fore (the ship and crew were American) : they came to 
me greatly perplexed about their safety, and inquired 
the names of the light-houses we saw shining to warn 
of danger along the Irish and Scotch coasts. I told 
them all I knew of these, which was not much ; and 
they examined their charts, and did what they could 
to keep off the rocks. I remained on deck, and had at 
times fearful forebodings that Providence was working 
against us ; that this storm, after only a few hours from 
our leaving the harbor, may have been occasioned by 
having a murderer, a thief, or a fugitive like Jonah 
on board, and therefore he must be thrown into the 
yawning wave. I tried to send up my prayer to God 
"when my heart was overwhelmed and in perplexity;" 
and He, in mercy, " who regards the prayer of the 
destitute," sent us unexpected relief. About midnight 
the wind moderated and changed; and I understood 
by what I saw in the countenances of the seamen, and 
learned from what they were saying to each other, that 
we were now out of danger. I went to my bed — or 
rather, I should say, my bunk, being the first night 
on the water, "and quiet sleep did take;" and when 
I awoke at daylight and went on deck, I found "the 
storm changed into a calm," and the ship right along- 
side of those terrific perpendicular rocks on the Scottish 
coast called the Mull of Can tire, becalmed, with her 
head towards the Atlantic, and moving slowly along 
with the tide. 

It was the Sabbath, and the first we were called to 
observe on the mighty deep. The most of us endeav- 
oured to remember it as well as we could according to 
our circumstances. A number of Tracts were dis- 
tributed among the sailors and passengers, which were 
thankfully received and read. Many, especially those 
from Scotland, I saw, were reading their Bibles, and 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



33 



singing, at times, Psalms to tunes which were familiar 
to my ear. We had two American Ministers on board, 
who had been over for the benefit of their health ; Mr. 
G. a Presbyterian from Virginia, and Mr. C. a Con- 
gregationalist from Connecticut. Mr. G. preached on 
deck to a very attentive audience, from Genesis xii. 5 ; 
"And they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; 
and into the land of Canaan they came." The sermon 
was a very good and appropriate one, and delivered in 
a very earnest, impressive manner. I overheard one 
of the sailors say, "If he wish me to give over swear- 
ing, he must not preach hell and damnation to me." 
Towards the afternoon a breeze sprang up, and the 
land became less discernible, until we lost sight of it 
entirely. The following beautiful lines of Pringle 
describe my feelings and sentiments on that occasion : 

Home of our hearts ! oar fathers' home ! 

Land of the brave and free ! 
The keel is flashing through the foam 

That bears us far from thee : 
We seek a wild and distant shore 

Beyond the Atlantic main ; 
We leave thee to return no more, 

Nor view thy cliffs again : 

But may dishonour blight our fame 

And quench our household fires, 
When we, or ours, forget thy name, 

Green Island of our sires ! 
Our native land — our native vale — 

A long and last adieu ! 
Farewell to bonnie Lynden-dale, 

And Scotland's mountains blue ! 

In the evening we had worship in the second cabin, 
when upwards of fifty were present. The two minis- 
ters and I agreed to have a prayer-meeting every 
evening in the same place ; which we regularly kept 
up to the end of the voyage, unless when prevented by 
stormy weather. Sometimes, in the clear, calm, sun- 
light evenings our attendance was small, for the greater 



34 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



part of the company rather chose to unite in the dance 
and listen to the fiddle on deck, than to unite in prayer 
and listen to the praises of God under deck. Such is 
the influence which our early habits and sentiments 
have over us, and which manifest themselves whether 
we are on sea or land, at home or abroad. 

Next morning when I came on deck no land could 
be seen, neither did we see any until nine long weeks 
after, during which time our ship plowed on her weary 
way, sometimes in the calm and sometimes in the storm, 
and mostly all the time encountering head winds; and 
we were accustomed to see nothing as far the eye could 
reach in every direction, except at times a vessel sail- 
ing in an opposite direction ; and confined as in a 
prison along with many whose practices and conversa- 
tion evinced that they "had no fear of God before their 
eyes." It was an unpleasant and wearisome time. 
We had two deaths on board. It was a very solemn 
sight to see the body of one who but a few days before 
was in good health, launched into the deep, with some 
iron weight fastened to it to sink it to the bottom; not 
knowing but thatow time might come next. We en- 
countered one terrific storm, which struck the most 
hardened on board with alarm, as it was the general 
opinion of all that we would never see the land any 
more. The sailors saw the storm coming from the 
south-west, and they did all they could to prepare to 
meet it. It began with thunder and lightning — and 
of all the thunder-storms I have seen, that one on the 
sea was to me the most alarming — with hail and rain. 
The wind blew a hurricane, causing the waves to swell 
and rise, and our ship to reel and stagger, plunge and 
pitch ; and tearing what sails were up to tatters, leav- 
ing our masts like bare poles. The sea rose moun- 
tains high, sweeping our decks fore and aft, carrying 
every thing overboard that was not well fastened. All 
the passengers, except those in the first cabin, were^ 
nailed under hatches, both to keep them out of danger 
and to prevent the water from getting into the hull of 
the ship. There we were in almost utter darkness, 
like to be suffocated from the want of fresh air; some. 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



35 



weeping and wailing; some cursing and swearing; 
while others were singing and praying; and the chil- 
dren screaming; and almost all vomiting; scarcely 
one able to help another. Boxes, trunks, barrels, and 
every thing that was not made fast, dashed about from 
one side to another at every plunge the ship made (and 
these were many), at the risk of both life and limb. 
Such a scene I never witnessed. I felt thankful I had 
neither father nor mother, wife nor child, to see to, for 
I thought I had enough to do to take care of myself. 
I swung myself into my bunk, out of the way of loose 
boxes and trunks that were every once-and-a-while 
dashing around ; and tried to compose my mind and to 
commit myself and all on board to Him who "ruleth 
the raging of the sea/ ? and " stilleth the noise of its 
waves, and the tumult of the people." Having been 
accustomed to the sea from my youth up, I never was 
in the least sea-sick either in storm or calm, though I 
must confess I was at times afraid : for among all the 
waves I had ever seen, and storms I had encountered 
when sailing on the German ocean and other places, I 
never saw such mountain waves as swell and rise on 
the Atlantic. The storm increased during the night, 
and few thought of seeing the morning. I got it into 
my head that if I only could make out to get on deck, 
I would have a better chance of my life if the ship 
should go to pieces or sink, than when nailed below. I 
therefore contrived to climb up through a narrow hole 
and get above. Nothing could be seen but the raging, 
merciless billows breaking around our frail ship, toss- 
ing her to and fro at their pleasure, breaking over her, 
and threatening every time she went under never to 
let her rise any more; and nothing was heard but the 
loud roaring and whistling of the wind through the 
ropes and rigging. The steersmen were lashed to the 
helm, and here and there I saw a sailor terror-stricken, 
holding on to some firm part lest he should be washed 
overboard. If I was bad below, I soon found I was 
no better nor safer above. During my short stay on 
deck, and while holding on with all my might 'when 
I saw the breaker coming, Mr. C. the tall lank min- 



36 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



ister from Connecticut came out of the first cabin great- 
ly excited, looked round on the dreadful scene, and, 
stretching out his long arms, exclaimed with a loud 
voice — " Oh, Mr. G., I am now going to heaven on the 
top of a wave !" I had not time to make him an answer, 
until a tremendous sea struck the ship, sweeping her 
from stern to stern, throwing him down, and leaving 
him sprawling on the slippery deck bawling out for as- 
sistance. He was picked up and set upon his feet ; 
and in place of having to look at him "going to heaven 
on the top of a wave," I had the satisfaction of seeing 
him safely conducted into his cabin, and of closing the 
door behind him. During the time I remained on 
deck the cry was raised, — "A man overboard! a man 
overboard!" He had been aloft, and fell from one of 
the yards into the sea while attempting to reef a sail. 
Strange to say, in place of being drowned, the next 
wave that came threw him on board, and dashed him 
into a place from which he required assistance to drag 
him out. I went below, satisfied that my situation 
was far worse and more dangerous above ; passed the 
night very uncomfortably ; and longed for the dawning 
of the day. 

Before daybreak the storm had spent its fury, and 
it was becoming quiet and still ; though there was a 
heavy swell, which made the ship roll from side to 
side, rendering it almost impossible to walk without 
falling. In the forenoon the sun shone out, making 
it more pleasant. The hatches were opened, and all 
were permitted to come on deck once more, to breathe 
more freely, look around, wash themselves, and get 
something to eat and drink — of which we all stood 
much in need, no fire having been kindled nor water 
served out for nearly twenty-four hours. Such a 
motley group of men, women, and children ! And 
such a scrambling, scrubbing, and washing as went on ! 
All day the sailors were busy splicing ropes and mend- 
ing sails, and the strongest fellows among the passen- 
gers were kept working at the pumps; so that quite 
a new life on board was manifested, and the sailors 
once more made out to steer the ship on her course for 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



37 



the western world. In the evening we had a sermon 
as usual, and it fell to my turn to preach. After having 
taken firm hold of a post or pillar by placing my left 
hand around it, to keep me from falling (for the heavy 
swell continued), I gave out part of the 107th Psalm 
to be sung — the full force of which I had never before 
so well understood: 

"For He commands, and forth in haste 

The stormy tempest flies, 
Which makes the sea with rolling waves 
Aloft to swell and rise." — &c. 

In my discourse, I endeavoured to make my re- 
marks to bear on our present circumstances; to bless 
God for our deliverance; and to show how we should 
manifest our gratitude to Him in time to come. We 
had the largest meeting that evening that we ever had, 
before or after. All were very attentive; some being 
deeply impressed with what was said, and seemed 
thankful for the deliverance God had given them from 
a watery grave. The man who was washed overboard 
was present that night ; so were also some others whom 
I never saw present before nor after that time. These 
were like too many in the world when the Lord lays 
his hand on them, and makes all his waves and billows 
to go over them : then they call on Him for deliver- 
ance and make their vows ; but when the storm is over 
they return to their lords and lovers, and forget the 
hand that delivered them. May this never be the case 
with us ! but may we live in grateful " remembrance 
of all the way the Lord has led us, to prove and to 
try us." 

" Think, O my soul ! devoutly think 

How, with affrighted eyes, 
Thou saw'st the wide extended deep 

In all its horror rise ! 
Confusion dwelt on every face, 

And fear in every heart, 
When waves on waves, and gulfs on gulfs, 

O'ercame the pilot's art. 



38 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



"Yet then, from all my griefs, O Lord! 

Thy mercy set me free, 
Whilst in the confidence of prayer 

My soul took hold on thee. 
For though in dreadful whirls we hung 

High on the broken wave, 
I knew Thou wert not slow to hear, 

Nor impotent to save. 

" The storm was laid, the winds retired, 

Obedient to Thy will; 
The sea that roared at thy command 

At Thy command is still! 
In midst of dangers, fears, and death 

Thy goodness I'll adore; 
And praise Thee for thy mercies past, 

And humbly hope for more." 

Our ship cut her way through the trackless, solitary 
deep, nothing to be seen from day to day to attract our 
attention except a sail at a distance, the dolphins gam- 
boling and tumbling at our bow, and Mother Cary's 
black chickens following at the stern in the track our 
ship made, expecting to get something to eat. Our 
old courses were followed. Those amongst us who 
were religiously inclined kept up our evening meetings, 
and conversed one with another concerning the things 
belonging to our everlasting peace; while those who 
cared for none of these things played cards, fiddled, 
danced, and drank whiskey — of which last mentioned 
article the Captain had great store and sold it out to 
the poor, infatuated, and thoughtless men and women. 
We had pleasant weather, and a favorable gale for two 
or three weeks; and all on board wearied much to see 
land. The first question asked when we came on deck 
in the morning was, — "Any sight of land yet?" We 
had been then out at sea fully eight weeks, and no 
prospect of that land whither we were going! It was 
no wonder that those who accompanied Columbus in 
his first voyage lost patience and threatened to rebel 
and turn back, who had not the most convincing evi- 
dences that land was ahead if they continued to sail 



OP REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



39 



due west, when we who had all the evidences except 
ocular demonstration, that there existed such a place 
as New York, on the Continent of America, were so 
sceptical and impatient. The first intimation which 
we got that we were not far from land, was from a 
large eagle that had been driven out to sea and had 
lost his reckoning, and came hovering round our ship. 
Shortly after this, the joyful cry was raised by the man 
at the mast head, — "Land O ho! LandO ho!" This 
warmed every heart, and brought up many who were 
in their beds sick, to descry the land. By looking at- 
tentively, we saw in the distance a low-lying black 
bank, in appearance, which in the course of the day be- 
came more and more discernible. Little did we know 
what was before us in that land which we longed to 
see, what our joys and sorrows were to be in it, where 
our footsteps were to be marked out on it, or w T here 
our narrow house was to be under it. These things 
were wisely hid from our eyes, and were to be revealed 
to us in a time and way that seemed good in God's 
sight. By-and-bye we saw a sail-boat steering for us 
under a brisk gale ; and our sailors soon discovered it 
to be the pilot boat, to put on board one of their num- 
ber to steer us safe to harbor. As the health officer 
was to visit the ship when we got within the Narrows, 
the Captain gave orders to all on board who were able 
to leave their beds, to wash themselves, and change 
their clothes, as he would come to-morrow to examine 
whether there were any infectious disease among us ; 
and announced to us that it would depend on his deci- 
sion whether we should sail direct for harbor, or re- 
main on Quarantine ground for forty days. All were 
mustered on deck when the inspecting officer came ; 
and each person on board passed by him, was individ- 
ually examined, and we were declared worthy to go into 
harbor. I was much delighted with the scenery as we 
passed up the bay, and more especially the nearer we 
came to New York. I must confess I never saw any 
thing in all my travels either in Scotland, England, 
or Ireland that could equal the scene for grandeur: the 
great City, the Battery, the extensive shipping lying 



40 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



along the Hudson and the East rivers, and the numbers 
of boats, sail and steam vessels, going some one way 
some another on the beautiful expanse of waters. When 
we got ashore, we could scarcely stand steady or walk, 
our heads were giddy from being so long accustomed 
to the motion of the ship. 

The day after we landed being the Sabbath, I made 
up my mind to go to the House of God and return 
Him thanks for protecting us on the mighty deep and 
" bringing us in safety to our desired haven." After 
walking nearly two miles and searching for the Asso- 
ciate Presbyterian church, we at last found it in Grand 
street, whose Pastor then was Dr. Stark. Oh how 
glad I was once more to unite in the praises of God in 
singing those Scripture Psalms which I had been ac- 
customed to in the land of my fathers ; and to hear the 
gospel preached in a foreign land by a countryman of 
my own, in connection with a church so nearly alike 
to the one I had left ! What a change this was to the 
Sabbaths I had been accustomed to for nine weeks 
past! I thought it was no wonder that David ex- 
claimed when banished from the ordinances of God's 
House, — " How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of 
Hosts ! My soul longeth, yea even fainteth, for the 
courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for 
the living God!" 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



41 



CHAPTER V. 

FROM MY ARRIVAL Itf NEW YORK TILL MY ORDINATION AND 
SETTLEMENT AS PASTOR OF BO VINA CONGREGATION, N. Y. 

Called on Dr. Stark— His coldness to me — Great kindness and 
hospitality which I received from Messrs. James Geery and 
John Duncan — Keceived and admitted by the Presbytery of 
Albany in connection with the Associate Synod of North 
America — Appointed to preach to Bovina congregation, N. 
Y. — Reached Bovina and preached there for some time — 
Manners and customs and mode of living of the settlers there 
in those early times — Sketch of the origin and history of the 
Bovina congregation — Left Bovina— Preached to the Hebron, 
Octorara, Guinston, and Philadelphia congregations — Rev. 
Wm. Easton of Octorara congregation — Sketch of Guinston 
congregation — Meeting of the Synod at Philadelphia — A call 
presented to me from Bovina congregation — The call accepted 
— Ordination and settlement there. 

I called on Dr. Stark on Monday, and delivered 
a few letters addressed to his care. He inquired what 
church I belonged to, and with what church I meant 
to connect myself in this country; and whether I had 
any money to pay my way: I told him I belonged to 
the Original Seceders; that I came to this country 
with the full intention of connecting myself with the 
Associate Synod ; and that after I had paid my way 
thus far, I had, by the kindness of Providence, $150 in 
gold sovereigns over, besides a good supply of wearing 
clothes, and two large boxes filled with books. When 
he found that I did not come from the United Presby- 
terians, among whom were all his friends, but from the 
Seceders whom he disliked, he " showed me the cold 
shoulder," and did not manifest that he " knew the 
heart of a stranger" nor " remembered that he also was 



42 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



once a stranger in a strange land." He did two things, 
however, for me worthy of being remembered : in 
place of introducing me to some of my wealthy coun- 
trymen belonging to his congregation, who would have 
been glad to have seen me and to have accommodated 
me on having newly landed, he took me to a family in 
Pearl street who kept boarders, where I had to pay $3.50 
per week : also he took me to the New York bank, in 
which he urged me to deposit $100, and to keep the 
other $50 for my incidental expenses. Here I now 
was in this great and populous city, without knowing 
a single individual on whom I could call to reveal my 
mind, and obtain information what was best for me to 
do. When I was down-cast I called to remembrance 
some of the times in which I knew not whither to turn 
to the right hand or the left, and how God, in his pro- 
vidence, had interposed for my relief; and I reflected 
with myself that He in whom I then trusted was as able 
to open up a way for me in the city of New York as 
he was to open up a way in the city of Edinburgh when 
I first landed there. 

Among many promises from which I derived relief, 
the following dwelt on my mind, which was given to 
Jacob when he was a stranger sojourning in a strange 
land; — " Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee 
in all places whither thou goest." I wrote in my lodg- 
ings in Pearl street a sermon on these words ; and 
preached it among the first I preached in this country, 
with considerable liberty. He who orders all events 
for good, from the flight of an angel to the fall of a 
sparrow, had his own time and way of making me ac- 
quainted with a few of his true friends and followers ; 
to whom I was much indebted, and whose kindness I 
have not forgotten, even to this day. As the following 
two individuals and their families were the first who 
when I was a stranger took me in, I am only discharg- 
ing a debt of gratitude to their memory when I men- 
tion their names. The one was Mr. James Geery, a 
native of Ireland, and an Elder in Grand street con- 
gregation, a respectable, wealthy merchant, then living 
on the corner of Mulberry and Walker streets, dis- 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



43 



tinguished for his honesty, intelligence, public spirit, 
and benevolence; also for his strong attachment to the 
doctrines and usages of the Associate Church, and his 
liberality in supporting them, and his zeal and un- 
wearied exertion in promoting them. The other was 
Mr. John Duncan, a native of Scotland, and also an 
influential Elder in Grand street congregation, who 
from its small beginning had done much to bring it to 
what it then was, and who carried on an extensive 
business in the wine, spirit, and tea line in 407 Broad- 
way. Mr. Duncan was a man distinguished for his 
general information, firmness of purpose, decision of 
character, and exactness in the management of his 
affairs, whether temporal or spiritual. In him the 
Associate Church had a true, tried, warm friend, who 
had been from his youth conscientiously attached to her 
principles, and did much for their support; and in 
these he was always assisted and encouraged by his 
pious, active, amiable lady. Their house was a sanc- 
tuary for all our ministers when they came either to 
preach in, or pass through the city. As I am en- 
deavouring in plain language to give a statement of 
some of the remarkable ways the Lord led me, to the 
praise of the glory of his grace, I cannot omit men- 
tioning the following. The state of my mind then 
was not dissimilar in some respects to that of the pro- 
phet when he sat under a Juniper tree, said his prayers 
(it was well they were not answered !) and then fell 
sound asleep, when an angel gently awoke him and 
said, — " Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for 
thee!" I firmly believe that the same God of wisdom, 
power, and goodness who commissioned the angel to go 
to the relief and encouragement of Elijah, appointed 
and directed James Geery to seek me out in an obscure 
corner of Pearl street and say, — "Arise and come to my 
house; here you must not remain any longer!" He 
informed me, when he called and found me in my room 
musing over the past, the present, and the future, that 
he had noticed me for two or three Sabbaths past at- 
tending church, and no one paying any attention to 
me ; that he had inquired and found out that I was a 



44 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



preacher newly landed from Scotland ; and that he 
never could have peace in his mind until he should 
come and inquire into my circumstances, and whether 
or not I needed assistance. There was a " friend in- 
deed!" On these things I fully informed him how 
matters stood, and who had been the means of getting 
me where I was then boarding. He seemed agitated 
and displeased, and said, " things should have been 
arranged otherwise if I only had known of you sooner." 
"At any rate," said he, "whether you can pay your 
way or not, this is not the place for you. You must 
come to my house, and make it your home as long as 
you remain in the city. Remember and be ready by 
to-morrow morning, and I shall send my son with a 
cart, and bring you and your trunks and boxes to my 
house." This was the Lord's doings ! I accordingly 
embraced the opportunity; paid up all charges; and 
went along to my new lodgings. Here I found a home 
something like that to which I had been accustomed 
in my native land ; family worship night and morn- 
ing; and a Prayer-meeting every Thursday evening. 
Here I became acquainted with many godly persons 
belonging to the same church, from w r hom I derived 
much important information, which was of benefit to 
me afterwards. I felt comfortable, happy, and con- 
tented in being thus kindly entertained in the families 
of Mr. Geery and of Mr. Duncan; and I waited with 
patience for the Presbytery of Albany to meet to instal 
Mr. Irvine in the Second congregation ; of which the 
above named gentlemen were elders, they having, for 
just and sufficient reasons, withdrawn from Grand 
street congregation. 

When Presbytery met, as was usual in those days, 
I preached before them, handed in my certificate, and 
gave in my accession to the Testimony of the Associate 
Synod of North America, and was regularly admitted, 
and received appointments to preach within their 
bounds. Here a new field was opening before me; and 
how I was to occupy it, and where my wanderings and 
resting-place was to be, gave me considerable concern; 
but though I was ignorant of those things, I knew 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



45 



and was persuaded that He in whom I put my trust 
knew all things, and would give me what was for my 
good. 

My first appointment was to Bovina, Delaware Co., 
N. Y.; to which place I went by steamboat up the 
Hudson river as far as Katskill, then by stage across 
the Katskill mountains to within five miles of my des- 
tination ; this latter distance I went in a sleigh, the 
ground being then covered with snow. The first Sab- 
bath I preached, although the weather w T as stormy the 
people turned out well; were very attentive; and ex- 
pressed their thankfulness that one had been sent once 
more to preach the gospel among them, of which they 
had been so long deprived : and during the other Sab- 
baths I remained, the house was full. I went among 
them, visited them in their houses, prayed with them, 
and catechized them and their children ; with w r hich 
they seemed well pleased. I found them generally 
well acquainted with their Bibles, the Psalms, and the 
Shorter Catechism; and much attached to the Presby- 
terian form of church government, in which they were 
brought up. They were mostly all from Roxburgh- 
shire, Scotland, except two or three families from the 
North of Ireland. On the Sabbaths we had an atten- 
tive, deeply interested, plain-dressed, orderly audience ; 
among whom I could not help noticing more than the 
usual number of young, healthy, intelligent looking 
boys and girls, with a great many infants in their 
mothers' arms. The practice of the Scotch, to bring 
their children to the House of God from their infancy, 
taught them how to behave, and listen to His word 
when young; and they derived the benefit of it when 
they grew up to manhood. This practice was followed 
when I first went among them, and is continued to the 
present day ; and I trust it shall never be given up : — 
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when 
he is old he will not depart from it." In those days 
you would have looked in vain in the church for a 
broad-cloth coat, a silk dress, a pair of morocco slip- 
pers, or a display of gaudy ribbons. Old and young 
were almost all clothed from head to foot with what 



46 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



was made with their own hands, with the exception of 
a "Maud" or plaid, which in former times was found 
useful when facing the blast on "Ettrick's Banks" or 
" Yarrow's Braes." I found there what others have 
found in all new countries whose settlers are of a 
mixed character and not under the restraints of religion ; 
rather too free use made of intoxicating liquor ; which 
had a bad influence, not only on the old, but on the 
rising generation. Among these mountains, it was 
the common practice to use it freely at births, mar- 
riages, and funerals, at logging bees, husking bees, 
chopping bees, raisings, vendues, and in the harvest 
field ; the bad effects of which were too frequently seen 
then, and for years after. I am happy in having to 
say, that such has been the effect which the gospel has 
had on those now living in that section of country, 
that the use of liquor on any of the above mentioned 
occasions, or indeed on any other occasion, is never to 
be seen ; and it is not even permitted to be sold in the 
Township. A happy change for the better. May it 
long continue ! 

In my visitations among these good people, I had 
often to climb up the steep sides of the mountains, 
through the dense woods, guided by what they called 
" blazed trees," that is, by marks made on the trees, 
until I found the places I wanted; for many of them 
were then living in the timber and clearing, around them 
the huge trees of maple, birch, beech, basswood, elm, 
and hemlock ; but wherever I went I saw evidences of 
thrift and hard labour, in their log-houses, in their 
cleared fields, and in their stone and log fences ; and 
heard the bleating of sheep, the lowing of oxen, and the 
cackling of geese and chickens. Though frame houses 
were few and far between, yet the well-daubed log- 
houses, with the blazing fire and clean hearth-stone, 
and every thing plain, neat, and comfortable, gave 
unmistakable proof — though " far in a wild, unknown 
to public view" — that they and their children lived in 
far better circumstances, and enjoyed far more of the 
substantial comforts of life, than any one ever could 
have imagined who never had visited them. "The 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



47 



Big ha' Bible/' the Psalm book, the Westminster Con- 
fession of Faith, the Assembly's Shorter and Brown's 
Catechisms, the Pilgrim's Progress, Boston's Fourfold 
State and his Crook in the Lot, Guthrie's Trial of a sav- 
ing interest in Christ, together with the Poems of 
Robert Burns and James Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd, 
were frequently met with. These two last mentioned 
authors were read and mused on in the long winter 
evenings by the light of the large logs that blazed in 
the fire-place; at which I was not much surprised, for 
such genuine descriptions in verse in our mother 
tongue, of the habits, customs, and manners in which 
we were brought up, take strong hold of us, especially in 
a foreign land. The wheel and the reel, the loom, the 
churn, the cradle, and the axe, were all kept in constant 
motion; and with the wholesome and nourishing oat- 
meal porridge and milk, and oat-meal cakes fired on the 
hearth, together with well-baked rye-loaves, beef, mut- 
ton, beans and barley for the broth-pot, along with 
lumps of yellow butter, and cheese of the best quality, 
they made out to live very comfortably and indepen- 
dently. I saw and tasted, on special occasions, the 
Scotch Haggis; of which Burns says: 

" Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, 
Great chieftain o' the puddin' race ! 
Aboon them a' ye tak' your place, 

Painch, tripe, or thairm ; 
Weel are ye worthy of a grace 

As lang ? s my airm." 

In the fall of the year, or in the beginning of winter, 
it was quite a common thing to meet men carrying 
a roll of cloth from the Fulling mill under one arm, 
and a roll of upper and sole-leather from the Tannery 
under the other, to be made, mostly by themselves, 
.into garments and boots and shoes for the winter; 
which in that mountainous region is very severe. 
These were the days when health, happiness, and con- 
tentment abounded ; when fewer diseases, fewer store 
bills, and fewer doctors' bills were met with, than in 
after years When more luxury, wealth, fashion, and 



48 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



finery abounded. These were the times when a foun- 
dation was laid for a homestead; when the young had 
a Sabbath School at their own fire-side, with able, 
earnest teachers, in w T hich they were "brought up in 
the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" when they 
formed habits of endurance, perseverance, and economy, 
the happy effects of which are now felt in their chil- 
drens' children. May these latter never be found guilty 
of doing any thing to dishonour the memory of their 
sires ! and may they endeavour to train up their chil- 
dren likewise, to know and love these precious truths 
and godly practices which their fathers and mothers 
taught them, and thus be "following in the footsteps 
of the flock" and handing down to posterity "the faith 
once delivered to the saints!" 

Perhaps it may not be found out of place here to 
give a brief sketch of the rise and progress of that con- 
gregation up to the time of which I am now writing. 
Its subsequent history will be given afterwards as we 
go along. About the beginning of the present century, 
when the country was a wilderness densely covered 
with timber all over those mountains, emigrants began 
to come in, and to choose their locations; among whom 
were two or three families from Scotland, who belonged 
to the Associate Presbyterian Church. These people 
clung to each other, as was natural, coming from the 
same country, and being brought up in the same church. 
They met regularly in each others' cabins on the Sab- 
bath, gathered their little ones around them, and spent 
the day in religious exercises: they also met at a 
prayer-meeting during the week. This they continued 
to do while struggling with untold hardships for many 
years. But "the Lord hearkened, and heard," and 
answered, "the prayer of them that feared Him and 
thought upon His name." Others came from the same 
country, the society in due time increased, and they, 
became more encouraged. They longed to have the 
gospel preached and divine ordinances dispensed among 
them and their children in connection with a church of 
whose doctrines and practices they could conscientious- 
ly approve; and these they found exhibited in the 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



49 



" Narrative and Testimony of the Associate Synod of 
North America." Accordingly, after much delibera- 
tion and prayer, they agreed to petition the Associate 
Presbytery of Cambridge to send them supply of ser- 
mon for a few Sabbaths; this was in 1806. The pe- 
tition lay on the table for consideration, and in October 
of the following year the Rev. Alexander Bullions, 
who had newly come from Scotland, was sent out to 
them, and preached to them with great acceptance for 
a few weeks. All the names that were at the above 
mentioned petition were, Walter Doig, William Mac- 
gibbon, and Isaac Aitkins. Mr. Bullions was just the 
man to rouse and gather his countrymen scattered 
among these mountains, stir them up to what w r as right, 
and warn them against what was wrong; being young, 
vigorous, energetic, of a prepossessing appearance, 
having a strong musical voice, a great command of 
language, and a ready utterance. After he left them, 
they were two long years without hearing a sermon, or 
seeing the face of a minister of their own way of think- 
ing. If son)e when they go to a new country, would 
imitate their example, and pray, wait, and use the 
means they have within their power, to edify and in- 
struct each other, and keep their children from hear- 
ing the instruction which causeth to err, in place of 
giving way to lukewarmness and indifference in re- 
spect to what belongs to the glory of God and the good 
of their own and the souls of others, they would, no 
doubt, ultimately succeed as well as those faithful few 
of whom we are now speaking. Sincerity, faithfulness, 
patience, perseverance, and diligence, never fail in 
meeting with countenance from God; while those that 
pursue an opposite course He leaves to be filled with 
the fruits of their own devices. When Mr. Bullions 
returned after the time above mentioned, he found 
them still keeping up their prayer-meetings and in- 
creasing in numbers ; many strangers being associated 
with them who, though not belonging to the same 
church, gave them to understand that if they would 
become organized and get preaching they would turn 
in and help them. After preaching to them for some 
5 



50 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



time Mr. Bullions, at their earnest request, and with 
permission of Presbytery, organized them into a con- 
gregation under the name of "The Associate Presby- 
terian Congregation of the Little Delaware;" with the 
following persons as members, viz., James Stoddard, 
Isaac Aitkens, Walter Doig, William McGibbon, David 
Henderson, John Elliott, James Russel, Mrs. John 
Elliott, and Mrs. W. McGibbon. 

They had very little preaching for seven years after 
Mr. Bullions organized them, until Rev. Robert Laing, 
who was loosed from his charge in Argyle, came 
among them and preached with great acceptance. They 
made out a call for him, offering him $250 annually as 
salary, which he accepted; and he commenced his la- 
bours as their Pastor in June 1814. On the 10th day 
of May, 1815, they raised the frame of their meeting- 
house, thirty feet by thirty six; in which many psalms 
were afterwards sung in worshipping the Lord God of 
their fathers, many earnest prayers presented, and able 
sermons preached, and souls converted and edified; 
where many sat down under their Redeemer's shadow 
with great delight and found His fruit sweet to their 
taste; and behind which their earthly remains now 
sleep in union to the person of the Son of God, and 
shall not awake until they hear His voice and see His 
blessed face in the morning of the resurrection. Many 
of these I was instrumental in leading by the green 
pastures and still waters of the sanctuary below, and 
with whom I expect soon to meet in the sanctuary 
above. Mr. Laing was one of those burning and shin- 
ing lights in his day, especially in the pulpit ; for as a 
popular preacher it was admitted by all that knew him 
he had not his equal; at least not in the Associate 
Church. For a few years, every thing went on smooth- 
ly and prosperously; several families came and settled 
among them who had been accustomed to hear Mr. 
Laing preach at the time that he was ordained in 
Dunse in the South of Scotland (which was in August 
1785); others followed him from Argyle who were 
brought up under his ministry: so that their num- 
bers increased beyond all expectation. But congre- 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



51 



gations when at the height of their prosperity are often 
punished for becoming heady and high-minded, or for 
thinking " their mountain stands strong" as to num- 
bers and wealth, and that they " shall never be moved ;" 
or, for what too frequently takes place, looking more 
to their minister than to his Master, and trusting more 
in an arm of flesh, than in the arm of the living God. 
Whether each, or all, or any of these were the cause 
of God's frowning on them and causing them and 
theirs for long after to drink the w T ine of astonishment, 
I shall not presume to say. But eight years from the 
time Mr. L. was ordained among them had scarcely 
expired, w r hen the Presbytery found it necessary to 
loose him from his charge and declare the pulpit va- 
cant. More about this unpleasant affair I do not feel 
at liberty to speak, as I do not deem it would be for 
general edification to rake up the ashes of those fires 
which once burned so hot, but which are now happily 
put out, I trust for ever. Congregations should " take 
heed while they think they stand, lest they fall," and 
should pray earnestly " that Satan may not be per- 
mitted to have them that he may sift them as wheat." 

Nine long years passed over their heads before they 
were permitted to see another pastor placed over them, 
during which time they had occasionally preaching and 
the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper dis- 
pensed among them. They made out several times a 
call for one to labour among them, but none of these 
were accepted. It was said the young men were afraid 
of preaching before such a critic as Mr. L. ; and that 
he did all that lay in his power to terrify and drive 
them away. It was reported that whenever he heard 
of a minister having come whom they liked and were 
about to call, he was sure to go, as he was wont to say, 
and "examine the laddie's quilts;" and then went to 
certain quarters, where, as he said, he "tore them a ? 
to tatters." However these things may have been, he 
and I were on the best of terms, and I never heard 
that he found fault with my "quilts," or "tore them 
to tatters;" though I believe they were no better put 
together than others. Before his death, which took 



52 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



place in 1839, matters gradually settled down, he and 
his opponents became reconciled to each other ; so 
much so that he assisted me. in the dispensation of 
the Supper, much to the satisfaction of all parties. 
His remains lie in the old grave-yard, which is long 
ago filled with inhabitants, within a few feet where 
once stood the pulpit in which he used to preach his 
remarkable sermons, of an hour and a half and some- 
times two hours long, without scarcely any of his au- 
dience either becoming wearied or going away. A 
plain substantial monument, erected by the congrega- 
tion, marks the spot where his body sleeps. 

This short sketch of the rise and progress of the 
congregation I deem sufficient; and it brings it down 
to the time when I was first preaching to them. Word 
came that I was appointed to go to Hebron, Washing- 
ton county,' N. Y., in Cambridge Presbytery, and to 
continue there during the winter. This caused no 
small sensation, and many of the people called on me, 
and urged me to give my consent to accept a call from 
them to be their minister — providing they would make 
out one. To this I never would consent; neither did 
I give them any encouragement, but rather, in very 
plain terms, told them not to proceed in that matter ; 
for if they did, it would fail. True it is, I saw that 
they stood much in need of one to labour among them, 
and that a wide field of usefulness was opened up; that 
the old needed much to be strengthened and encouraged 
in their declining years with the consolations of the 
gospel, and that the vast number of young persons 
w T ho were growing up without the means of grace stood 
much in need of instruction in things belonging to the 
glory of God and the good of their own souls: not- 
withstanding all these and many other things which 
could be mentioned, I had no clearness to remain 
among them. I had but newly come to this country, 
and wished to look about me, become accustomed to 
the climate, and to the manners and customs of the 
people. Besides, I was not in love with the steep, nar- 
row, rocky roads we had to travel, nor with the cold 
climate and the high mountains, and above all the 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



habits Yv r hich some had contracted inconsistent with 
their profession, owing principally to their being so 
long in an unsettled state, like sheep without a shep- 
herd. In a word, I thought I could never undertake 
such a charge, for which I had neither strength of body 
nor mind. I accordingly parted with them, never ex- 
pecting any more to place my foot there. But alas ! 
how short a distance do we see into the future! And 
how ignorant are we of the way the Most High is to 
lead us in this world. Nothing w r as farther removed 
from my anticipations, when I left Bovina with the 
full purpose never to return, than that it was the very 
place which God in His wisdom and love had marked 
out for me, and in which I was to remain for upwards 
of twenty years to preach the blessed gospel ; and that 
I who a few months before had with my staff crossed 
the Atlantic, was to continue among these mountains 
until I became two bands ; and then that I should cross 
the Mississippi with a wife, seven sons, and three 
daughters, along with a number of trunks and boxes 
filled with books, bed clothes, and wearing appearel, 
and in possession of as much money as to pay for a 
good farm. Yet all these things actually took place. 
"With man many things are impossible, but with God 
all things are possible/' 

When I reached Hebron, I found Rev. James P. 
Miller of South Argyle was appointed by Presbytery 
to dispense the Lord's Supper there in the new Meeting- 
house, and that they had contrived to have me there 
in order to assist him. We had a refreshing time, and 
many had reason to say, "Lord! it is good for us to 
be here!" I got comfortable lodgings, not far from the 
Meeting-house, with Mr, JohnMoodie one of the Elders. 
I spent the winter among them, I trust usefully and 
happily; visiting them from house to house; also in 
collecting them in their different districts and holding 
catechizings, which were well attended. I found the 
country there in a high state of improvement, its in- 
habitants fashionably dressed, and living in warm, com- 
fortable houses; every thing indicated that they were 
twenty years ahead of the place I had lately left. I 



54 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



found myself at home among a people, (many of whom 
had belonged to the Secession church in Scotland,) re- 
sembling those I had been accustomed to in my native 
land. They were good, intelligent, and consistent Se- 
ceders; who knew their profession well and abode by 
it, regardless of the reproaches cast on them for so do- 
ing. They had been early placed under good teachers 
and good discipline; Mr. Laing having long preached 
to them when in Argyle; and Mr. James Irvine, an- 
other able minister, having been settled for some time 
amongst them. I thought I could have spent my days 
usefully among them — of which at one time there was 
a prospect, but God ordered it otherwise. The emi- 
nent men who then were Elders were all from Scot- 
land, and have years ago, along with all the then aged 
members, entered into their rest; while many of their 
children's children have arisen in that place and called 
them blessed: others have removed to the far West 
and have proved useful in beginning and supporting 
congregations where God in his providence has cast 
their lots, an instance of which we have in the congre- 
gation of Somonauk, 111., where the name of Beveridge 
has been so long and so favourably known, first in the 
Associate Church thirty-four years ago, and now in the 
United Presbyterian Church. The names of the Elders 
were Andrew Beveridge, William McClellan, John Rea, 
and John Moodie. " The mercy of the Lord is from 
everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and 
his righteousness unto children's children." — " The 
promise is to you and to your children." 

I received information that I was appointed to go 
to Guinston, Pennsylvania, in the Presbytery of Phil- 
adelphia; and I accordingly left in the beginning of 
March by way of Albany, New York, and Philadel- 
phia. I remained a few days in New York, and called 
on the families of Mr. James Geery and Mr. John 
Duncan, from whom I received so much kindness when 
I landed ; and who took a deep interest in the narra- 
tive I gave them respecting my engagements, and the 
state of the congregations in which I had been labour- 
ing from the time I had left them in December. I 



OF KEY. JOHN GRAHAM. 



55 



also stopped a few days with Rev. Mr. Beveridge in 
Philadelphia, who informed me that I was appointed 
to assist Rev. William Easton in the dispensation of 
the Supper at Octorara on my way to Guinston ; which 
I accordingly did. During my stay there I visited 
the grave of Mr. Gelletly who came along with Mr. 
Arnot; these were the first missionaries sent out by the 
General Associate Synod to this country. I mused 
over his grave ; and thought on the changes which 
had taken place in our own and other churches since 
the time he came over; and of what should yet take 
place among ourselves and others in another 110 years. 
I had a pleasant time with Mr. Easton. I found him 
to be an agreeable companion, much given to hospi- 
tality, a diligent student of the Word of God, and un- 
wearied in his efforts to promote the good of souls, and 
to maintain the principles of the church to which he be- 
longed. I thought he inherited much of the spirit of 
those distinguished ministers who in early times of the 
church lived and died in that memorable place in which 
he was born ; viz., Ancrum, Roxburghshire, Scotland. 

When I went to Guinston, where I was appointed 
to remain until the meeting of Synod, which was to 
take place at Philadelphia in May, I found there many 
pious, intelligent, and exemplary Christians, much at- 
tached to the distinguishing principles of the Associate 
Church, having had great advantages of being well 
taught under the ministry of Mr. Clarkson, their first 
minister, and afterwards of Mr. Alexander Gordon. 
This was the same Mr. Clarkson who along with Mr. 
Marshall protested against the Union which gave rise 
to the Associate Reformed Church; and whose con- 
duct was sanctioned and approved by the General As- 
sociate Synod in Scotland, to which they then, as a 
Presbytery, were subordinate, and to which they ap- 
pealed. Where a people have been favoured with the 
labours of a diligent and faithful minister, we have in- 
variably found that God has blessed his labours among 
them, and that the happy effects of those labours have 
been discernible among their children's children, in 
their being " steadfast and immoveable, always abound- 



56 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



ing in the work of the Lord " whithersoever they 
wandered, however numerous the inducements may 
have been to turn aside from the footsteps of the flock. 
But where a minister has been careless and compromis- 
ing either in doctrine or discipline, the opposite of these 
things will be found. Mr. Clarkson was very partic- 
ular in admitting members to communion; and often 
said he found it to be one of the most difficult duties 
of his ministry he had to perform. He was diligent 
to instruct those who applied for communion, on the 
nature and design of the Lord's Supper ; what was re- 
quired of those who were to be worthy partakers of it; 
and of the solemn obligations they were to come under 
to profess and abide by the Lord's cause, as witnessed 
for by the church to which they were to belong, and 
contained in her Testimony given to the world. It is 
asserted on good authority, that when the Associate 
Church had increased to upwards of one hundred and 
eighty congregations, the greater part of which lay 
west of the Allegheny mountains, in most of its con- 
gregations there was scarcely one known in which 
some of these that had been members of Guinston con- 
gregation were not to be found. I remained there for 
six weeks, during which I visited most of the families, 
found them well grounded in the Scriptures, the As- 
sembly's Shorter Catechism, and the history of the 
churches generally, especially the one to which they 
belonged: and though most of the land was poor (it 
was called "the barrens of York"), yet I found them 
industrious, living in comfortable houses, and generally 
in good circumstances as to the things of this world. 
When I left them for the Meeting of Synod, they ap- 
pointed an Elder, Mr. Wilson, with whom I boarded, 
to go along with me to request Synod to send me back 
to them as constant supply for a year, with a view of 
making out a Call for me; to which I had no objec- 
tions: but God had designed not to give me my will 
in this matter, and this I was not long in finding out. 

When we reached Philadelphia, among the first per- 
sons I met and whom I knew, was my countryman 
Rev. Peter Campbell of Florida, N. Y. ; who told me 



OF KEV. JOHN GRAHAM, 



57 



he had in his possession a unanimous Call from the 
congregation of Bovina for me to be their minister, in 
which he had moderated on his way to the Synod; and 
he added that I must accept of it. Seldom or ever that 
I remember, did I meet with anything more unexpected, 
or that stunned and staggered me more. I had left 
those good people with the full intention never to re- 
turn, and had given them expressly to understand that 
if they moved in making out a call for me I would not 
accept it: and from the time I left them I had never 
learned from any of them, nor from any member of 
Presbytery, respecting their intentions, otherwise I 
would have tried my best to have stopped it. "God^s 
ways are not as our ways, neither are His thoughts as 
our thoughts." — "Man proposes but God disposes." 
The Presbytery of Albany (under whose jurisdiction I 
was) called a meeting, principally to examine the Cal], 
sustain, and present it; and I was notified to attend. 
When it was presented I requested a few days to make 
up my mind what I should do, which was accordingly 
granted. I had none in the Synod w T ith whom I was 
acquainted from whom I could obtain counsel what 
was best for me to do, except Mr. Wilson, who hung 
on and urged me to return with him to Guinston; and 
the members of Presbytery, on the other hand, were 
anxious to have Bovina settled, as they had been per- 
plexed in having calls to it refused in former times, 
and in finding supply for it. Here I w r as "in a strait 
betwixt two," and "which to choose I wot not." I 
w T ould have willingly returned with the modest and 
godly Mr. Wilson and laboured among the people of 
Guinston, w : ho "were at peace among themselves;" 
who were w T ell-trained in the ways of the Lord ; and 
were such consistent and enlightened and stanch Sece- 
ders ; and where a wide field of usefulness seemed to 
be opened : but I thought, again, on the destitute situa- 
tion of my countrymen among the Delaware mount- 
ains; how often they had been disappointed, dis- 
couraged, and divided; and how much need the old 
and the young among them had of one to warn and 
instruct them, and keep them from falling in w T ith the 



58 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



erroneous doctrines abounding, and the evil practices 
prevailing around them. I was afraid, if I refused 
the clear call that was now given me to "come over 
and help them," and should choose a field more smooth, 
cultivated, and pleasant, the Lord might punish me in 
a time and in a manner which I never would have 
thought of. We are ignorant of the dangers we es- 
cape, and the troubles and trials we are kept from, by 
not being permitted to follow ways of our own choos- 
ing. I accordingly, after giving the whole matter a 
prayerful and careful consideration, accepted the call; 
not without many fears as to the consequences, and 
deep convictions of my inability for such important 
duties devolving on me. Though I subsequently con- 
tinued upwards of twenty years among them, during 
which time I had no small share of troubles among my 
countrymen — fears within and fightings without when 
endeavouring to warn and instruct, and put in execu- 
tion the rules and discipline of the church, for the 
glory of God and the good of never-dying souls — yet 
I feel thankful to God for casting my lot among that 
people, and for the success with which He was pleased 
to crown my feeble efforts for their spiritual welfare. 
I have now to say, to the glory of God, and for the en- 
couragement of young preachers, that during that 
memorable part of my voyage down the tide of time, 
those rocks and breakers which I had thought I saw 
lying in my course and of which I was so much afraid 
I have since steered safely past or through without 
much trouble ; while, on the other hand, those under- 
currents and ground-swells that lay concealed, and of 
which I had never dreamed, frequently threatened to 
dash my frail canoe to pieces. Thus we will often find 
that the very troubles we are most afraid of will, per- 
haps, never come; and that those we are least looking 
for and not prepared to meet will overtake us. Such 
are the ways of Providence. " Trust in the Lord with 
all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understand- 
ing: in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will 
direct thy path." Before leaving Philadelphia I preached 
three Sabbaths for Mr. Beveridge in the Meeting-house 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



59 



once occupied by the faithful Rev. Mr. Marshall, (and 
before which rested his ashes, along with those of Rev. 
Joseph Banks D.D., and Rev. Joseph Shaw, LL.D. 

I proceeded to Albany, where I prepared my dis- 
courses for ordination, and where I delivered them. 
The Presbytery appointed the ordination to take place 
in October; and I went out to preach to my future 
flock in the meantime. This w^as in June 1832, when 
the fearful disease, cholera, prevailed in the land. I 
remember well, when passing through Albany, of see- 
ing the stores almost all shut, and numbers of men 
and boys burning tar barrels on the principal streets 
to purify the air and, as they thought, to keep away 
the cholera. Mr. Martin, of the Associate Church, 
was the only minister who did not leave the city dur- 
ing the calamity, while hundreds were daily carried to 
their graves. It was an alarming time, both in city 
and country. Even among the mountains, where the 
air was pure, and living springs abounded, many were 
carried away by it, and by other diseases which very 
much resembled it. God^s judgments were then abroad 
in the land, and we trust that many in it thereby 
learned righteousness. 

When I returned to Bovina, the people were all glad 
to see me, and received me with much kindness. Be- 
ing convinced I was in the path of duty, and that God 
in wisdom had designed that I should remain there as 
long as He had any use for me, I soon became accus- 
tomed to the rocks, stumps, rough and narrow roads, 
and other inconveniences incident to a new country. 
I may mention that they promised in their Call to give 
me by way of salary three hundred dollars, along with 
the use of a dwelling-house and barn and sixty acres 
of land. I went into lodgings that winter, and in the 
course of the next summer they erected, in a beautiful 
situation on the side of the " Little Delaware river," a 
very convenient, commodious house, on their own land, 
known afterwards as "the Manse." 

When the day of ordination arrived, the Meeting- 
house was crowded with an attentive and deeply in- 
terested audience, glad once more to see one placed over 



60 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 

them as their teacher. Rev. John J*. Smart, of Johns- 
town, preached from 1 Cor. ii. 2, — "For I determined 
not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ 
and him crucified." Rev. James Martin, of Albany, 
and Rev. Peter Campbell, of Florida, delivered ad- 
dresses to the minister and people. It was a memora- 
ble, pleasant, and encouraging time both to ministers 
and hearers, during which much of the divine presence 
was experienced. At the close of the services the fol- 
lowing appropriate and beautiful lines were sung "with 
the spirit and with the understanding also," to the 
praise of God who had done such great things for 
them : — 

"According as the days have been 
Wherein we grief have had, 
And years wherein we ill have seen, 
So do Thou make us glad!" — &c. 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



61 



CHAPTER VI. 

FROM MY SETTLEMENT AT BOVINA m 1832, TO MY 
MARRIAGE IN 1834. 

Felt solitary after the ordination — Deeply impressed with the 
solemn obligations I had come under as a Minister — En- 
couragements — Counsel to young Ministers— Names of my 
five Eiders — Arrangements made for Prayer-meetings, Visi- 
tations, and Catechizings thoughout the congregation — The 
good effects of such exercises. — Started a new Preaching station 
at Delhi — which was afterwards organized into a congregation ; 
now called West Delhi — Names of the first Elders there — A 
close-fisted old Scotchman — Mr. CI eland their first Pastor — 
now in a flourishing condition. — Origin of LansiDgville con- 
gregation- — Names of its first Elders — now also a prosperous 
congregation. — Origin of the congregation at New Kingston 
(formerly called Platakill). — My early labours in these places 
as preaching stations — Our old Meeting-house at Bovina de- 
scribed — Amusing anecdote of the tumbling down of the stove- 
pipe during the lecture — Names of six additional Elders 
chosen in 1833 — Dr. Alexander Bullions assisted at the com- 
munion in that year — Had 45 accessions — It was a good time 
— Measures for reformation adopted by the Session — which 
were successful — Reflections — The Manse finished and pre- 
pared for me — This stirred me up to seek a help-meet — whom 
the Lord graciously provided for me in answer to my prayer 
— My marriage. 

When the ministers and elders went away I was 
somewhat sad and solitary; as it was two long days' 
ride over high hills and rough roads to either Mr. 
Campbell in Florida or Mr. Martin in Albany, who 
were then the nearest brethren with whom I could 
consult in difficult matters. 

I had now become solemnly bound before God, an- 
gels, and men, to declare the whole counsel of God and 
6 



62 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



keep nothing back ; to give every one his portion in 
due season ; to exhort and rebuke with all authority; 
and to be faithful in the maintenance of the doctrines 
and usages of the Associate Church as witnessed for in 
her Testimony, however much I might be reproached 
for so doing, as I should have to give an account to 
Christ "when He should appear in his glory with all 
his holy angels." In respect to the manner in which 
these vows were performed, I have to say, " to me be- 
long shame and confusion of face ;" and if Thou, O 
Lord ! wert to bring me to an account I could not 
stand, neither could I answer for one of the many 
thousand sins and short-comings which Thou mightst 
bring up against me! I took courage from finding 
that every thing in the Call and in the Ordination 
went on orderly and encouragingly; and that although 
my labours and difficulties were many, I had been 
placed among that people by God's wise ordering, and 
had therefore good reason to trust in Him for support, 
as in former times: besides, I had the good-will of 
those who were members of the congregation, as well 
as of the community at large, who were endeavouring 
to do every thing in their power to make me comfor- 
table and happy. It would be well for ministers newly 
settled to feel thankful for having the countenance of 
their people, and they should do all that is just and 
lawful to retain it; while at the same time they should 
keep humble and watchful, and guard against trusting 
too much in man, for the popular wind that may fill 
their sails to-day at the commencement of their voy- 
age, may change by to-morrow before they scarcely get 
out of sight of land, and cause them to take in reefs, 
and earnestly wish they had never left the harbour. 
They should have their intire dependence on Him who 
permits the winds and storms to arise to try their faith, 
their patience, and their courage, — for if it had been a 
continued calm, these graces never would have been 
put to the test; and should have their eyes fixed on 
Him as their high tower, shield, and deliverer, who 
can come in the darkest night and in the greatest dan- 
ger, and say, — "Peace, be still!— Fear not! — It is I, 



OF REV. JOHK GRAHAM. 



63 



be not afraid !" As it manifests wisdom in the sea- 
man, during the calm to prepare for the storm ; and in 
the soldier, to prepare for the battle before he gets or- 
ders to leave camp and face the enemy : so also it is 
the best of wisdom in young ministers to be diligent, 
and to prepare to meet with reverses. These things 
are worthy of the consideration of young ministers; 
for the testimony of the Scriptures, the history of the 
church, and the common experience of those who have 
been long in the ministry, prove that they are melan- 
choly facts. 

I was highly favoured by having five pious, steady, 
and intelligent men for Elders, all of whom were 
brought up in the Secession Church in their native 
land. Their names were, John Elliot, Walter Doig, 
James Russel, Hugh Clark, and Thomas Wight. When 
we met as a Session, no records of any former meeting 
could be found, except the Communicants' Roll; on 
which were found about eighty names. It was agreed 
at that meeting that we should meet regularly every 
month for prayer and conference; and that I should 
have my catechizings in the winter season in the differ- 
ent districts of the congregation, into w^hich it was di- 
vided ; and in the summer should visit from house to 
house, and in doing so that an Elder should accompany 
me, to show me where the people lived ; for in those 
days many of them were living in the timber and on 
steep places of the mountains, difficult to reach. These 
catechizings and visitations I kept up for twenty years; 
as long as I was able to attend to them: and I have 
every reason to believe that they were blessed for the 
benefit of both old and young. For many years I had 
eight different districts where I met with them. Those 
meetings were ahvays well attended: on those occa- 
sions Psalms, portions of Scripture, and Questions out 
of the Shorter Catechism were repeated and explained; 
these were our Text-books, in w4iich old and young 
became deeply grounded. I am disposed to think that 
those meetings, beyond any other during my ministry, 
were, by the blessing of God, instrumental in raising 
up a generation who have §hown themselves so much 



64 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



attached to the church of their fathers, and have mani- 
fested such a willingness to support it. Whenever the 
snow fell so as to make sleighing practicable, I started 
with my cutter, and I always felt much pleasure in at- 
tending those religious gatherings. 

The year before I went to Bovina, Andrew Hamil- 
ton and his wife Lydia, who were members, had moved 
down into the woods seventeen miles from that place, 
into a solitary location in the Town of Delhi. I be- 
came acquainted with them, and found them to be 
good, religious, and peaceable persons. They made 
me promise to go down and pay them a visit: this I 
did in January 1833, when the snow was deep, the 
weather stormy, and when the horses had to plunge 
and fight their way through the snow-drifts. They 
were glad to see us, and entertained us very kindly. 
The house was built of logs, near a strong spring of 
water, (with which they afterwards sawed their wood 
and made their butter,) and consisted of only one apart- 
ment, which contained two beds, and had a wide fire- 
place, into which they threw large logs of wood, which 
kept burning the whole night, giving both light and 
heat. I preached in the evening to a very small audi- 
ence, and baptised Mr. Hamilton's child. This was 
the first Sermon ever preached in that then out of the 
way, desolate place. They made me promise to return 
and preach to them, which I accordingly did next sum- 
mer. Word was circulated of the time when I was go- 
ing down ; and in consequence I had a large, atten- 
tive, and deeply interested audience, all Scotch; some 
of whom came a number of miles, brought their chil- 
dren along with them, and expressed the satisfaction 
it gave them to hear the same psalms sung, and the 
worship of God conducted in the same manner, as they 
had been accustomed to in the land of their fathers. 
Matthew Eussel and his wife, who were brought up 
under Mr. Laing, and were much and deservedly es- 
teemed, also moved down to the same neighbourhood, 
and were great comfort and company to Mr. and Mrs. 
Hamilton. Others got married and went down thither^ 
where land was cheap, and new families came from 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



65 



Scotland and other places; so it soon became apparent 
that at no distant day we should have a congregation 
there. This was often talked about, though they were 
few in numbers, and comparatively poor in purse. To 
encourage them, I went frequently and preached and 
baptised when I could conveniently get away; for the 
people of Bovina were as anxious as I was to have a 
congregation near us, in order that we might more 
easily and frequently obtain ministerial assistance: for 
sometimes I had been a whole year without seeing the 
countenance of a minister belonging to the same church ; 
and I often had to dispense the Lord's Supper and do 
the preaching all the days connected with it, alone. 

After a few years Mr. Hamilton, who was an excel- 
lent framer and carpenter, built a large frame house, 
one end of which we occupied for our place of worship, 
and which he filled up with moveable benches. I am 
prepared to say, that if ever I experienced divine as- 
sistance in preaching and praying, more at one time 
than at another, it was in Andrew Hamilton's house, 
when the people sat and stood closely together, both 
in the large room and kitchen, with their Bibles and 
Psalm-books, listening attentively to what was said. 
There are certain periods in a minister's history in w T hich 
he experiences more life in his own soul, and more free- 
dom and heartfelt satisfaction in making known the 
unsearchable riches of Christ, than he does at other 
times: and these times are not when he is surrounded 
with the mighty and the noble who are " dressed in 
scarlet and fine linen and fare sumptuously every day ;" 
but when addressing the pious poor of God's children, 
whom He esteems as "the excellent of the earth," and 
"on whom He looks with a pleasant countenance." 
Suffice it to say, that I got these people formed into a 
Praying-society, which met during the week and on 
the Sabbath in different houses; which had a good ef- 
fect in keeping them together and bringing in others, 
(I never went without Psalm-books, Bibles, and Cate- 
chisms) ; that I carried a petition to Presbytery for an 
organization, which was granted ; and when I attended ,. 
to effect it, Andrew Hamilton and Matthew Russel were 

6* 



66 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



chosen as Elders, who were subsequently ordained. 
The number of persons in full communion with the 
Associate Church was not then above five or six, al- 
though the adherents were about fourteen. They got 
an acre of timber land in a suitable place as a gift from 
Mr. Fisher, and went to work and cleared away some 
of the large beech and maple trees, leaving as many as 
afforded an excellent shelter for themselves and horses, 
and then erected a very commodious house; Andrew 
Hamilton, Matthew Russel, Peter McEwen, and James 
Graham doing the most of the carpenter work them- 
selves without even receiving any renumeration, ex- 
cept the approbation of their own consciences that they 
did what they could to have a place of worship erected, 
in which they and their children could meet on the 
Lord's Day and hear the words of eternal life spoken 
to them. We in Bovina raised $100 to assist them. 
I remember of starting one morning in the snow with 
my horse and cutter with the intention of going to 
certain places where I thought I could obtain some as- 
sistance for them, when I met an aged, wealthy Scotch- 
man to whom I applied for some aid, and who had al- 
ways appeared to be favorable to them ; but when asked 
to "show his faith by his works," he was as dead as a 
stone, and as deaf as a door nail. I listened to his ob- 
jections, which were, that they were poor and few in 
numbers; and that they would sink themselves and 
their children in debt; and that they would never suc- 
ceed, &c. &c. I confess I felt displeased at hearing 
such discouraging and groundless assertions ; and when 
gathering up my lines, and preparing to lay on my 
whip on my good horse Charlie, I said with some em- 
phasis, — "Now, Mr. , it is my firm belief that 

there will be a Meeting-house erected down in that des- 
titute place ; and that the seals of the covenant will be 
dispensed, the blessed gospel of the Son of God preached, 
and sinners prepared for heaven, when your bones shall 
be rotting in the dust, and your money, of which you 
think so much, shall be scattered to the four winds." 
Without laying any claim to have been a prophet, I 
lived to see some of these predictions fulfilled. 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



67 



In 1847, fourteen years from the time I first went 
to them, when they had up the frame of their Meet- 
ing-house and it was partly inclosed, Mr. Cleland 
was appointed their supply for a year; whom they 
afterwards called to be their Pastor. While presiding 
in the Call, when I asked if they had any other can- 
didate to nominate, a man stood up and said, — " In- 
deed, Sir, ye never ha'e gi'en us a chance to hear ony 
other ane to call, unless it be yersel/ Is na* that the 
honest truth now, Sir." This took me rather by sur- 
prise; but after recovering myself I said in substance, — 
" Mr. D , as to your not hearing any other minis- 
ters for a year past, you must blame Presbytery : and 
as to your calling me, I would just say you had better 
let me alone." I then proceeded without more inter- 
ruption. 

Mr. Cleland was the means of doing much good 
among them, proving himself to be u a workman that 
need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of 
truth, and giving to each his portion of meat in due 
season." I spent many happy days in his company ; 
he always, as long as I was able to preach, assisted me, 
and I him in return. I left him in 1856 getting along 
very well, but in three years afterwards he gave up his 
charge, principally on account of his health, and is now 
in Minnesota. 

That congregation, in which I took such a deep in- 
terest, and whose beginnings were so small, is now 
self-sustaining, and increased in numbers and wealth ; 
and better farms, with more valuable stock and im- 
provements, and more sober, industrious, and religious 
inhabitants, are not to be found in Delaware coun- 
ty. If this short sketch shall be the means of en- 
couraging those who have small beginnings and dark 
prospects as to a congregation, not to despair of suc- 
cess, but to pray and w r ork, work and pray, in the cause 
of truth, my object in writing it shall have been gained. 
And if it shall ever meet the eye of some of those to 
whom the writer was accustomed to preach in the 
house of Andrew Hamilton, they will perhaps remem- 
ber something about him, and what he said. May 



68 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



Christ have a seed there who shall do him service 
while sua and moon endure! They have now 165 
members, and a settled Minister, to whom they give 
$600, and are in prosperous circumstances. The con- 
gregation goes under the name of West Delhi. 

A few years after the West Delhi congregation got 
started, another preaching Station was commenced in 
the house of John Bryce of Hamden, 18 miles from 
Bovina, with very small beginnings, and considerable 
opposition. Mr. Cleland and I went frequently down 
and preached, and encouraged them; and I remember, 
when they had no place of worship, of assisting in the 
dispensation of the Supper in the Socinian Meeting- 
house in Lansingville; where the great majority pres- 
ent denied the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. I 
preached the action Sermon from John x. 11, — "I am 
the good Shepherd." The Elders then were, John 
Bryce, George Wight, and J. McFadden. In order to 
accommodate many that lived on the Scotch mountain, 
and in the Cloves, they agreed to erect a Meeting-house 
on the east side of the Delaware river, near the village 
of Lansingville ; and, to assist them, the congregation 
of Bovina gave them $100 and the frame of their old 
Meeting-house, which was taken all the way on the 
snow, principally by John Bryce. They have a min- 
ister settled among them, to whom they give $700. 
They have 65 members, and are now doing well. 

I cannot avoid noticing another place which I visited 
as early as 1833, viz.; the Platakill; now known by 
the name of New Kingston. I remember of Mr. Thomas 
Elliot, who was a shrewd, active, intelligent Scotch- 
man, taking me to visit the few families then scattered 
in different places among the woods, and working hard 
to clear their farms and to make a living. Their situ- 
ation was something similar to that of Mr. Hamilton's 
at Delhi in early times, as above narrated, with the ex- 
ception of their having to contend with a number of 
careless Dutch families who had squatted near the 
stream, to which they gave the name Platakill, or Flat 
Creek. Mr. Elliot's house being the largest and most 
convenient in which to hold meetings for Sermon and 



\ 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



Catechizing, we always met there, and were always wel- 
comed and well entertained. It was one of my dis- 
tricts (although some of the members were twelve miles 
distant, having steep mountains to cross, with bad 
roads), in which I took a deep interest, and to which 
I was much attached, because I found they were a 
pious, poor, peaceable people, and struggling hard with 
numerous families, and anxious to have them brought 
up in the way they should go. For nineteen winters 
I travelled through the woods and high snow-drifts 
across the mountains, guided in many places only by 
blazed trees, (besides visiting them in their houses in 
the summer-time,) during which we always had num- 
bers of men, women, and children in attendance ; some 
of them coming a great distance through the snow on 
foot, all healthy and happy, and glad to meet each 
other. We began at eleven o'clock, and before we got 
through with hearing and explaining Questions and 
Answers in the Shorter Catechism, and hearing the 
younger ones recite their chapters and psalms, it was 
generally one and sometimes two o'clock: after which 
the greater part remained and partook of a good din- 
ner prepared for the occasion by Mr. E., and enjoyed 
the company of each other. Those were memorable 
occasions for stirring up each other to love and good 
works; for honest, unreserved interchange of senti- 
ments; and for promoting mutual esteem and confi- 
dence. When we are poor and oppressed, our graces 
are often more operative and apparent ; but when we 
become rich, too frequently we become heady and high- 
minded, and kick against the pricks. To those meet- 
ings in the Platakill, under God's direction, and to the 
liberality, zeal, and unwearied perseverance of Mr. 
William Elliot, do I ascribe the commencement and 
progress of the now flourishing congregation of New 
Kingston, of which he is a useful and much esteemed 
Elder. They now number 66 members; but are at 
present without a minister. Knowing from experi- 
ence how difficult it was for them to come to meeting, 
especially" in the winter time when the roads were 
drifted up, I had frequently urged them to ask for a 



70 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



disjunction and to get organized as a separate congre- 
gation, which I knew would be much in their favour, 
but they would never break off as long as I remained 
among them. Those aged and good fathers and 
mothers, with whom I took sweet counsel both in their 
own humble open log-houses in our Catechizings, and 
in the house of God, have almost all entered into their 
rest, and their works have followed them; and their 
children's children have risen up, and I trust are fol- 
lowing in the good old way and finding rest to their 
souls. 

Our old Meeting-house was built on the top of a bank, 
along whose bottom murmurred, over its smooth peb- 
ble bed, the pure, sparkling, and never-failing waters 
of the Little Delaware. (Glide along, thou pleasant 
stream ! on whose banks I spent many happy days, and 
where rests the dust of those with whom, in former 
years, I walked in company by the green pastures and 
still waters of the sanctuary below, and with whom I 
hope soon to meet in the sanctuary above, and be led 
by the Lamb in the midst of the throne to fountains 
of living waters, and to have all tears wiped away from 
our eyes!) It had two doors in front, to enter which 
we had to go up four log steps. The house was seated 
in a plain, substantial manner, with old-fashioned nar- 
row pews; some of which were square, with doors, and 
calculated to hold from eight to ten persons, with a 
table in the centre on which to lay their books. The 
pulpit was round, something in the shape of a barrel, 
with room for only two persons of ordinary size to sit 
or stand, with a door which fastened in the inside, and 
to enter which we had to ascend six high steps; which 
placed the speaker so high that he could see round into 
every corner of the gallery. Thoughts, even at this 
distant time and place, often arise in my mind to this 
effect: what shall be the result on the great day of 
final accounts, of those Psalms that were sung, those 
Prayers that were offered up, those Lectures and Ser- 
mons that were delivered, and those Sacraments that 
were dispensed, by so many of Christ's ambassadors, 
to such numbers of the called and chosen and faithful 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



71 



followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, in that humble 
habitation among the mountains of Delaware? 

The house, being almost always crowded, was in the 
summer by far too hot; so much so that I had often 
to take off my neck-cloth and my coat when preach- 
ing ; and some days in the winter, I had to keep on 
my over-coat and woolen mittens. We had two stoves 
that were kept agoing, with pipes that entered a drum 
in the centre, but which at times threw out more 
smoke than heat, and which often came apart and 
caused no small confusion. I remember that on a cold 
blustering day, during the discourse, when many were 
gathered round the stoves to keep from freezing, all at 
once down came the stove-pipe with a crash, and out 
poured the smoke and filled the house. Then com- 
menced the confusion, coughing, and moving about. 

No one was hurt except good old Mr. , who had 

his hat driven over his eyes ! which, after prayer was 
over, in cold days he put on during Sermon. Had it 
not been for this defense, no one could tell what might 
have been the consequence. I stopped, sat down, and 
waited until order was restored, the pipe fastened, and 
the smoke gone; after which I rose and said, — U I 
make no doubt most of you are expecting I am going 
to say something about the conduct of the trustees, in 
not attending to their duty so as to prevent such un- 
pleasant occurrences during the time of public wor- 
ship. But I am determined not to say one word 
about it;" — and then, resumed my lecture. The Meet- 
ing-house was afterwards repaired and made more com- 
fortable, by having new doors put on, and the windows 
having glass put in them. 

In the summer of 1833, the following persons were 
elected and ordained as Elders; William Forrest, 
William Murray, John Dunn, Andrew Doig, John 
Armstrong, and Alexander McCeachran ; all of whom 
were men of intelligence and influence, and much es- 
teemed by the community. While I write this ac- 
count, so far as known to me, only two of these per- 
sons are now living. "Our fathers, where are they?" 
In J une, the sacrament of the Supper was dispensed, 



72 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



at which Dr. Alexander Bullions, at the special request 
of the people, assisted. He was the first who had ever 
preached to them, thirty years before; when the in- 
habitants were poor, the country a wilderness, and the 
friends of Christ and his cause were few and far be- 
tween. Mr. B. was not very friendly to me, because I 
came from the Original Seceders, who testified against 
the union in Scotland between the Burghers and Anti- 
burghers; which he believed to be the dawning of the 
latter-day glory in the church. He was an able preacher, 
and was instrumental in doing much good in his day. 
Yet many believed that there was considerable truth 
in what an old woman was reported to have said of 
him, — "Oh, but he is dreadfully lax, and awfully fond 

population!" (popularity). This was a very reviv- 
ing and refreshing time. We had 45 accessions, some 
of whom had their certificates from Scotland, others 
from neighbouring congregations, and a few young 
persons were admitted on examination. For years 
they had been divided, distracted, and discouraged by 
being so long without a stated dispensation of Word 
and Sacraments; hence some had fallen away, and 
others who were ready to unite with them kept back 
until they saw how they should succeed ; and as peace 
and unity were in a great measure restored, and mat- 
ters generally were become prosperous and encourag- 
ing, these now came forward cheerfully. On this 
memorable occasion many wounds were mollified and 
bound up which the cause of Christ had received in 
the house of its friends in former years when discord 
and division prevailed among them; and an impetus 
was given to efforts the good effects of which were felt 
for years afterwards. 

The Session, who were always ready to unite with 
me in maintaining or in restoring peace, purity, and 
unity in the congregation, began early to try to have 
some of those religious duties revived which were in 
many instances neglected in families, viz.; family wor- 
ship and secret prayer; and to have some reprehensi- 
ble habits which had become unhappily but too com- 
mon among all classes removed or checked. This was 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



73 



like taking a bear by the beard, yet they set them- 
selves to the good work of reformation; and, through 
divine assistance, we persevered; and ultimately, after 
a few years' labour, succeeded. It is a hard matter to 
mitigate or entirely remove practices among a people 
which are of long standing, and to which they have 
become much attached. ^ It is ill taking out of the 
flesh what has been bred in the bone." It is from the 
old that the young learn habits, either good or bad, 
and the latter more readily than the former. Hence 
we found the young often referring to what the old peo- 
ple said or did — "as the old cock crows the young cock 
learns." When the Session had agreed that certain per- 
sons should be spoken to who followed the practice of 
dancings w T hich was making us a reproach among other 
denominations, and therefore called for prompt mea- 
sures to have them stopped, I remember of conversing 
with a young woman who wished to join the church, 
and endeavouring to show her how inconsistent it was 
with her Christian character and the principles of the 
church to which we belonged ; when she said she had 
been at many of those dancings, and did not think there 
was any harm in it, as she saw so many there far older 
than she was and who were oftenestat the jug, loudest 
in the laugh, the first to take the floor, and the last to 
leave it. "But, Sir," said she, "you should remember 
that the old folks are far more fond of dancing than 
we young folks are ; they are so much on the floor that 
we can scarcely get a reel at all." While the most 
part yielded, and gave up the practice, some ten heads 
of families along with their children left us, and united 
with another denomination. Others came in their 
place, and matters went on far more pleasantly and 
consistently, so that those inside and outside of the 
church who were at first opposed to the Session for in- 
terfering, began to see that it was the best thing they 
could have done. There is nothing like being faithful 
in the discharge of our duty when the glory of God 
and the salvation of souls are in danger of suffering ; 
although we should be reproached for so doing, we 
shall have the approbation from above, — " Well done, 
7 



74 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



thou good and faithful servant!" and we will also re- 
ceive thanks from the sinners who have been turned 
from the error of their ways, for having spoken to and 
dealt with them so seasonably and so successfully. 

The Manse having been finished and ready for me 
to take possession of it, was the means of stirring me 
to consider where I could find a suitable help-meet. 
I had never seen my way clear to encourage any one 
to accompany me across the water, as I did not know 
how it would turn out with me, whether my health 
would continue, or whether I should have a settled 
place of abode: but when I obtained a comfortable 
settlement and had a reasonable prospect of getting 
along, I began to turn my attention to a change of life. 
It gave me no small concern to know what was the 
will of God in this important matter, which might be 
fraught with much good or evil to myself and to the 
people among whom I laboured; for I had learned by 
observation that much depended on a minister's wife, 
either for maintaining or breaking up his peace amongst 
his people. If ever any man needs a prudent wife, a 
minister does. God was pleased, I trust in answer to 
my prayer, to provide me one who, in every respect, 
was suitable for me, in the person of Miss Mary Small. 
She was born in the parish of Ancrum, Roxburghshire, 
Scotland ; brought up in the Secession church, to which 
her father and mother and all their relations belonged ; 
and who crossed the Atlantic two years before I did, 
along with her parents, a brother, and a sister. We were 
married on June 25th, 1834, by Rev, Duncan Stalker, 
Pastor of the Associate congregation, North Argyle, 
Washington county, N. Y. ; of whose congregation she 
and all her relations were members. I shall only say, 
that I had much reason to bless God for the relation 
which was then formed, and which He has been pleased 
still to continue to the present time (June 1869); and 
for preserving alive our children. May they all fol- 
low her example, remember her instructions, and never 
do any thing to vex her while she is with them, or dis- 
honour her memory when she shall have been taken 
away from them ! for to them she has, from their infancy, 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



75 



been an affectionate mother, unceasing in her prayers 
and unwearied in her efforts to promote their temporal 
and spiritual interests. Had it not been for her pru- 
dent management, and economy, and perseverance, 
neither they nor I would have been in such favoura- 
ble circumstances as we now are. 



76 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



CHAPTEE VII. 

FROM MY MARRIAGE, IN 1834, TILL THE CLOSE OF MY 
MINISTRY AT BOVINA, IN 1853. 

Every thing encouraging in the Congregation— Great benefits 
of Prayer-meetings-— They are a spiritual Index of a congre- 
gation — Importance of praying for the Minister — A Pictu- 
resque description of the people flocking to church — The 
Services — Intermission — Of public and private reproof — A 
remarkable instance of the former — Whereby a Dancing- 
school project was signally defeated — A Pulpit notice, and 
how I handled it— Bought a farm and removed from the 
Manse — Reflections about Manses and glebes — Their advan- 
tages and disadvantages — Ministers' families require a home 
of their own as well as others — Advice to young Ministers — 
For a time, in 1846, I was the sole Minister with a Pastoral 
charge in the Presbytery — Dr. Cooper's, of Philadelphia, visit 
to Bovina— He assisted me at the Sacrament — His visit and 
Sermons long remembered — It was a refreshing time — Pro- 
ceeded with Dr. Cooper to Albany to ordain Mr. Morrow there 
— Anecdote of Mr. Campbell interrupting me while preaching 
■ — Anecdotes of Mr. Laing in the pulpit, and how he silenced 
the Universalist preacher — Of the schism in the Associate 
Synod — I endeavoured to act the part of a peace-maker— Of 
crises that occur in congregations, and how the minister should 
meet them — Our old Meeting-house had become dilapidated — 
A handsome new one built in the village— -Feelings on leaving 
the old house — The last Sabbath that I preached in it — The 
Texts of .the Sermons on that occasion — Reflections — The new 
church opened — My feelings — The Texts of the Sermons— 
The new church described — Feelings of the aged members on 
the occasion — Accessions — Baptisms : the vows imposed on pa- 
rents — Of Sacramental occasions: The Thursday's fast strictly 
kept; also the Saturday's and Monday's services — Interrup- 
tions in public worship; how checked — Breach in my health — 
Laid aside from preaching — Satisfactory pecuniary arrange- 
ment made with the congregation with a view to my resignation 
— Resigned my charge — Review of my ministry at Bovina — 
The number of Baptisms and Marriages — The full results will 
be known only in the day of final accounts. 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



77 



Every thing went on encouragingly in the congre- 
gation. About that time Prayer-meetings were es- 
tablished in different quarters, and Catechizings gener- 
ally well attended: one of these was held in the Manse 
every Thursday evening, when as many came as could 
be accommodated. There is not a better or a more 
convincing evidence of the spiritual prosperity of a 
people, than when you find Prayer-meetings existing 
among them and well attended. "They that feared 
the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord 
hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance 
was written before Him for them that feared the Lord 
and that thought upon His name." These Prayer- 
meetings have a tendency, when well conducted, to 
stir religious exercises in the souls of some, and to 
recommend them to others. "A praying people make 
a preaching minister," saith the proverb. People would 
be great gainers if they would attend to the instruction 
given by the Holy Spirit through the medium of Paul, 
— "Praying always with all prayer and supplication 
in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perse- 
verance and supplication for all saints; and for me, 
that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open 
my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the 
gospel" (Eph. vi. 18, 19). It is not surprising that 
some are heard saying, they are not profited under 
their Minister, when they seldom or never make men- 
tion of him in their prayers to God, nor pray that he 
may be directed to suitable messages, and " that grace 
may be given him to divide the word of truth aright," 
and thus "give every one his portion of meat in due 
season." If some who complain of the want of edifi- 
cation were to examine narrowly into the cause of it, 
they would discover that it lay often more in them- 
selves than in their Pastor. "The word preached did 
not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them 
that heard it." 

As the mountains were steep and covered with tim- 
ber, this caused the people to go far round to get down 
to the Meeting-house, which made many to take a near 
cut on foot rather than go round on horseback pr with 
7* 



78 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



a wagon. Indeed, in those early times most came to 
church on foot, almost all having oxen, and few hav- 
ing either horses or wagons. A spring carriage of any 
description was a rare thing in the Township for many 
years after I went there. In the summer time you 
would have seen them coming down the sides of the 
mountain in groups of men, women, and children; the 
men carrying their coats over their arms, (some having 
left them behind,) and the women their shoes and stock- 
ings in their hands, tramping along and conversing 
together, then wading the Little Delaware, and sitting 
down on the other side putting on their stockings and 
shoes and otherwise fixing themselves up, and after- 
wards climbing the bank, and appearing in the house of 
God, clean, healthy, and happy, with their Bibles and 
Psalm-books, ready to "hear what God the Lord would 
speak/ 7 During the intermission, which in the sum- 
mer was half-an-hour, (in the winter we had in the 
forenoon a Lecture, and in the afternoon a Sermon, 
without any intermission,) you would have seen the 
men collected together among the hemlocks attending 
to their horses, talking, smoking, and eating their 
bread and cheese, and then going to the spring to get 
a drink ; while the females were sitting in groups on 
the grass with their little ones around them, eating 
out of the basket of provisions brought along with 
them, and once-in-a- while you would have seen puffs 
of smoke rising from among them, indicating that they 
were taking a whiff of the pipe. Others would have 
been seen walking in the grave-yard, and musing over 
the green sod under which lay the earthly remains of 
some near and dear relatives, wondering, perhaps, how 
they were now employed in serving God in the church 
above, and whether they should ever meet and know 
each other in that place where sin is never felt, nor 
danger feared. I very often told them to be careful 
of their company and conversation during the inter- 
mission, for the devil was never more active to steal 
away the Word out of their hearts ,which they had 
gladly heard, than when they had newly withdrawn 
from the house of God, thus preventing it from taking 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



79 



root and bringing forth fruit. Some attended to this 
advice, and some did not. In the summer I would 
take a walk along the side of the fence, look over my 
notes, eat my piece, and then return to the church ; 
and I kept them together generally an hour and a half 
longer: in the forenoon we were in two hours. In 
the winter time, when the Lecture was over, followed 
by prayer, I gave out a psalm ; and when that was 
sung I rose, prayed, and gave out my text. This I 
found pretty hard work; and had it not been that I 
was blessed with good health and strong lungs I could 
not have stood it so long as I did. 

I began early to reprove in public or in private when 
I thought that any were acting inconsistently with 
their Christian character and profession; as by sleep- 
ing in church, coming without their Bibles, and per- 
mitting their dogs to follow them into the Meeting- 
house; which last was often a great annoyance. When 
I gave out my text I would have said, — "Those 
amongst you who have condescended to bring your 
Bibles along with you will find the text in" such a 
a place; and I noticed that any who had them not 
that time were sure to have them on the next day. In 
a promiscuous audience there are always some who 
come to "offer the sacrifice of fools," who ought to be 
at certain times reproved sharply. Many of such 
characters met with us; whom I sometimes took occa- 
sion to address in "all plainness of speech." I re- 
member of being informed of a young man, a merchant 
in the village, who on Sabbath during intermission 
went round among the people urging them to sub- 
scribe in order to get up a dancing-school. I was 
much displeased with such arrogant conduct at the 
house of God, and I resolved that if I should see him 
next Sabbath I would "reprove such conduct before 
all, that others might fear," and avoid it for the time 
to come. Accordingly, after the forenoon services were 
over, seeing him sitting in his seat in the front gallery, 
I said, — "There is a certain spruce young man who 
worships with us pretty regularly, whose motives, I 
am disposed to think, are none of the best, as I am in- 



80 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



formed on good authority he was busily engaged last 
Sabbath during intermission soliciting subscriptions 
with a view to start a dancing-school in the village. I 
hope he will see his sin and turn from it, and no more 
be found acting as one of the devil's recruiting sergeants/' 
This completely demolished their plans, and no danc- 
ing-school was ever attempted. I began thus to re- 
prove at the beginning of my ministry, and they soon 
became accustomed to it; whereas if I had delayed for 
fear of giving offense until the honey-moon was on the 
wane, and then commenced, the consequences would 
have been different. 

I remember of receiving a Notice to be read from 
the Pulpit, which, in substance, was like the follow- 
ing: "The Pastor of the Associate Presbyterian Church 
is requested to intimate, that the Methodist Episcopal 
church will be opened for public worship on Wednes- 
day first, and consecrated; and he is invited to come 
himself, and to invite his people to come along with 
him." I read it after public worship in the forenoon; 
and after endeavouring to show that the consecrating 
of churches, grave-yards, and other things was hea- 
thenish and popish in its origin, and had no foundation 
under the Christian dispensation, and that our Church 
testified against such practices, I said, — "As for the in- 
vitation for me to go, and request you to follow, and 
give countenance to such popish mummeries, rather than 
comply with it, (stretching out my right hand and suit- 
ing the word to the action,) let this right hand forget 
its cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my 
mouth." I then dismissed the congregation. This bold 
and unexpected blow against Arminianism, which was 
beginning to gain ground amongst us, struck my peo- 
ple with a sort of surprise and fear, so much so that 
none attended on that occasion, except a few aged wo- 
men who lived near by. Some diseases require strong 
medicine at the beginning, to prevent them spreading 
and injuring the whole system; and which if used in 
time prevents much trouble and perplexity afterwards. 

We had resided about seven years on the church lot, 
and during that time we had discovered that it would 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



81 



be far more conducive to our peace and prosperity to be 
on a place of our own. We had to lay out every year 
considerable money to fence the lot and otherwise im- 
prove it, without any prospect of remuneration : be- 
sides, we had to pay more for hired help in-doors and 
out, than we could raise from it. We found we would 
have been gainers to have paid for our own firewood 
and what grain and hay we raised. Manses and Glebes 
have their advantages and disadvantages ; but I must 
say from all I experienced myself, and saw in others 
connected with the late Associate Church in the State 
of New York for twenty-five years, and in the West 
for thirteen years, that the best Manse and Glebe a 
minister and his family can have are, a home which he 
can call his own, however poor it may be. If disease 
or death should overtake him, then his family has a 
home-stead out of which none can turn them. The 
very thought of having a place of our own in case of 
any change (and changes are often sudden and unlooked 
for), tends to strengthen our hands and encourage our 
hearts. The approbation of a people is often like the 
wind, which may blow favourably to-day, but by to- 
morrow may blow the very opposite. The history of 
the church affords many examples of this. They act 
a wise part who look out and prepare for these things. 
It is a sad thought for a minister to leave his widow 
and his fatherless children on the tender mercies of a 
cold, heartless world. It is true we have God's promise 
respecting them, that if we cast them on Him "he will 
preserve them alive but we should remember that 
He works by means, and if these are neglected, we have 
no reason to look for the promise being fulfilled, since 
the times of miracles are at an end. 

These things and others which could be mentioned 
caused us to long for a place of our own, in which we 
should be more independent and happy, and on which 
if we made any improvements we should derive the 
benefits from them. But how this could be accom- 
plished we were unable for some time to discover, 
for it took every cent of my salary to pay our way. I 
never could see it to be my duty to insure my life or 



82 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



property for the benefit of the family while I was with 
them, or when I should be taken away from them ; as 
I always was afraid that if I did so it would manifest 
either a weakness if not a want of faith in God's 
promise; who had proved himself all-sufficient to pro- 
tect and provide both for me and mine in times that 
were past. I know that many good and exemplary 
Christians see no harm in these Insurances, but I must 
confess that I differ from them. It is a fast age this 
in which we live, and many new things in the church 
and out of it are followed, which in former times were 
unknown. It does seem strange and heathenish for 
those professing godliness, when about to leave home 
for a short time and take a journey either by land or 
water, to run and "get their lives insured as if they 
believed God was less able to protect them abroad than 
at home ! When will such heaven-daring practices have 
an end? 

While we were musing about making a change, (we 
did not let others know our intentions for fear of con- 
sequences,) God, in his love and mercy opened a door 
for us to make our escape which no man was able to 
shut, though several attempts were made. We learnt 
that there was a farm for sale which was within less 
than a quarter of a mile from the Meeting-house, con- 
sisting of 120 acres, for which they asked $800; but 
it had on it a poor house and barn, and was greatly 
out of repair as to the fences and other things. We 
disclosed our intentions to a good friend of ours, a 
member of the congregation; who cheerfully advanced 
the money, and took the Deed for security ; which in 
the course of a few years we lifted, and paid him in- 
terest on his money. We moved up to it in 1841, with 
no other stock than two cows and a horse; to the no 
small satisfaction and joy of some, and surprise and 
displeasure of others ; and rented the church lot and 
house for $50 a year to a man who worked for it on 
our farm. It gave great relief to our minds, although 
we moved into a smaller and less convenient house, to 
think it was our own, and to see the boys as they in- 
creased in number and grew up, planting fruit trees, 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



83 



building fences, and otherwise making improvements, 
the benefits of which we all afterwards felt. We con- 
tinued there for fifteen years; and in process of 
time had 12 cows, 20 sheep, a span of horses, &c; put 
up two large frame barns, with stone cellars under 
them; also two years before we left it, we erected an 
excellent, well finished, modernized house, and had the 
farm in first-rate order, and some additional land bought 
into it; and when we sold it in November 1855 it brought 
us $3000, and the sale of horses, cows, sheep, agricultural 
implements, and household furniture came to $1100 
This was another instance of the Lord's kindness to us, 
and caused us to "set up our Ebenezer" — hitherto 
hath the Lord helped! The boys and girls got into 
habits of industry and carefulness then, which have 
been for their advantage ever since. I have always 
advised young ministers to study moderation and econ- 
omy, and avoid extravagance at all times, and more 
especially at the beginning of their ministry ; for then 
many favorable opportunities to better their condition 
and that of their families may otherwise be let slip 
which may never return again during their lifetime. 
While ministers ought to avoid every thing that is 
mean or mercenary, and unbecoming their office, on 
the one hand; they should, on the other, study not to 
be extravagant in dress, in the management of their 
household affairs, living above their income, or bring- 
ing up their children in idleness and show. Much de- 
pends on the way in which a minister conducts him- 
self and his household, to effect the result of attaching 
his people to him, and benefitting his family. 

Things went on much in the same way that they 
commonly do in country congregations, one year after 
another, without any thing worthy of notice which 
could be for general edification. We had the Lord's 
Supper dispensed twice in the year, commonly in June 
and in October ; when I was frequently assisted by 
Dr. Martin of Albany, Mr. Campbell of Florida, and 
Mr. James P. Miller of South Argyle. Sometimes a 
probationer would be sent to assist; and several times 
I was left alone. The congregation in regard to num- 



84 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



bers kept much about the same; and harmony and 
peace, with some exceptions at times, prevailed ; and 
many evidences were given that the presence of the 
Lord was amongst us. I remember in 1846 of being 
placed in rather peculiar circumstances from May until 
the end of October, during which the charge of all the 
Presbytery of Albany came on me daily ! I was act- 
ing as clerk, Moderator, and general correspondent, 
being the only ordained minister in the Presbytery of 
Albany during that time who had the charge of a con- 
gregation. Florida, Johnstown, and New York were 
vacant. Mr. Morrow had accepted a call from Albany, 
and in order to have our Presbytery constituted and 
him ordained, I had to send all the way to Philadel- 
phia for my worthy friend Dr. Cooper to assist me. 
He cheerfully came, along with his amiable and ac- 
complished lady; and assisted me in dispensing the 
Lord's Supper. His visit to our mountains was long 
remembered, and spoken of with the deepest feeling 
and interest. It was a time of refreshing to us all. 
The Sermon he preached on Monday was spoken of by 
old and young as having greatly impressed them. The 
text was, Psalm xlviii, 14; "This God is our God for 
ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death." 

We then went to Albany and ordained Mr. Morrow. 
The services were held in the evening. I remember, 
when I was addressing the congregation, Brother 
Campbell, who was sitting behind me, becoming im- 
patient at the manner I was lengthening out my re- 
marks, touched me once or twice, and then telling me 
to stop; to which I paid no attention. When he dis- 
covered that I was determined to take my own way, he 
rose under considerable excitement, disentangled his 
chain from his neck, and laid a gold watch right be- 
fore me on the Bible; as much as to say,- — "See, you 
positive fool! what time of the night it is ; have done 
at once, and let us all home to our beds." I took it 
up, looked at it for a moment, and then deliberately 
slipped it into my vest pocket, and continued speaking 
for some time after. I was not much put about with 
such an interruption, having met with similar treat- 
ment before from the same quarter. 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



85 



The late Dr. Martin (with whom I was very inti- 
mate,) told me of a surprize he also met with in the 
same pulpit. When he was sitting behind Mr. Laing 
while he was preaching one Sabbath evening after the 
Communion to a crowded house, Mr. L., after coming 
down from one of tho^e flights of eloquence which he 
was accustomed to take in order to breathe for a little, 
pulled his watch out of his pocket with some difficulty, 
looked at it, put it to his ear, looked at it again, and 
then turned round and, holding it out towards Mr. M. 
said, loud enough to be heard by many, — "Is that 
thing gawin/ Jamie ?" Mr. M. held down his head 
and made him no answer; and the old man resumed 
his discourse. 

I will here introduce another anecdote, out of the 
many I could produce, about that w T onderful man. 
When he was settled in Bovina, Dr. Stark of New 
York used to have him down frequently to assist him 
on Sacramental occasions ; when great numbers of his 
countrymen would turn out to hear him. While sail- 
ing down the Hudson on board of a sloop with a num- 
ber of farmers, who were taking their butter and other 
produce to market, there was a Universalist preacher 
on board, who held forth on Sabbath when they were 
becalmed, in a thundering manner; astonishing and 
captivating every one by his eloquence. Mr. Laing, 
who always wore a dress like a working man's when 
he went from home, and who was unknown to any 
present, sat and listened until the speaker was done ; 
he then began and said a few things about the original 
meaning of the words of his text in the Greek ; on 
which the preacher looked at him with contempt and 
said, — "What do you know about Greek, old fellow?" 
This raised Mr. L/s. Scotch spunk, and, in his accus- 
tomed blunt and fearless manner, he said, — "You self- 
conceited, ignorant puppy; I could read Greek before 
you were able to button your breeks." He then preached 
from the same text, and, as he said himself, — "I cut 
the poor, insignificant creature's arguments and posi- 
tions all to pieces." And well he could do it. 



3 



86 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



The Presbyteries of Albany and Cambridge were 
long convulsed with what was then known as "the 
Stark and Bullions party f and afterwards, when they 
separated from the Synod, by the name of "the Pro- 
testors." These troubles were in existence before I 
came to this country, and therefore I had no hand in 
originating them ; neither did I do any thing to con- 
tinue them, but I kept as far as possible neutral when 
both parties were quarrelling: yet I claim some credit 
in having had a hand in making peace, and in restoring 
those Protestors again to the Associate Synod; and in 
this I was greatly assisted and encouraged by my con- 
scientious, peaceable, and amiable Brother, Mr. Mor- 
row. While we were as a Presbytery endeavouring 
to quench the fires that had so long burned in our 
bounds, by passing some resolutions to hold conferences 
with them for mutual explanations, we met with no 
small opposition from different quarters: one of these 
was from a young, zealous Brother who had newly 
come into the bounds of Cambridge Presbytery, who 
thought himself qualified to put us all right. I had 
written an article in the Evangelical Repository stating 
our views of the matter and what we intended to do, 
with which that Brother found fault. I replied to him 
at some length in vindication of our proceedings and 
intentions, from which reply I give the following ex- 
tract: "I am vexed to think that these fourteen min- 
isters, who solemnly declare that they are attached to 
and have never swerved from the principles of the As- 
sociate Church, together with their twenty-two con- 
gregations, consisting of 3070 communicants and 1051 
families, should be spoken of in the manner M. has 
done. I do not envy the head nor the heart of one 
who can feed and fatten upon such things ; yet I fear 
some will devour them as wholesome, seasonable nour- 
ishment. I know that some of those men of whom M. 
speaks so uncharitably and unguardedly have borne 
the burden and heat of the day in the service of their 
Master, in promoting his kingdom, in proclaiming his 
unsearchable riches to perishing sinners, twenty years 
before the eyes of some that are now in the field had 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



87 



seen the light of day, and who are wishing to push 
with head and shoulder. We who are their juniors in 
years, in knowledge, in experience, and in attainments, 
should be humble, dependent, and cautious. 'Thou 
shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the 
face of the old man; and fear thou God: I am the 
Lord!' That these men were entirely innocent, and 
had no hand in kindling or adding fuel to those fires 
which burned for upwards of twenty years I will not 
venture to affirm, for I know that they, along with one 
who is now no more on this side of time, had an active 
and sinful hand in fanning the flame; not from a love 
of seeing the smoke and enjoying the heat, but from a 
necessity under which they were laid, in self-defence, 
at certain times to make use of materials, however 
combustible; and use means, however unpleasant. But 
to say that all the blame from beginning to end, as M. 
insinuates, was chargeable upon them, and next to none 
chargeable upon the majority either in Cambridge 
Presbytery, Albany Presbytery, or Synod, I cannot, 
my conscience bearing me witness. I have seen two 
much striving for the mastery, too much nationality, 
too much jealousy, wrath, and bitterness, and too much 
of a desire to take up and circulate evil reports to sup- 
port sides when taken, to say either side was without 
guile. I got involved in these troubles when I w T as 
raw and rash, and not ill to advise, and often nearer 
the heat than I found for my comfort or safety ; and 
from what I have seen, and from what I have suffered, 
I would i remonstrate ' with Brother M. to ( leave off 
contention before it be meddled with/ and to keep as 
much from desiring to occupy a place in the front ranks 
as possible; lest he may have to cry, — 'My kingdom for 
a horse!' or else to take to his helmet or his heels: the 
former, if I am not mistaken, will suit him as well as 
myself, best." (Evangelical Repository Vol. IX. pf 538.) 

There is a crisis which every congregation has to go 
through, and when once that is over, a better, state of 
things commonly succeeds. As the storm tends to 
purify the atmosphere, so that we breathe more freely 
and think more of the calm; so is it sometimes with 



88 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



the commotions that take place among a people: they 
expel the noxious vapours that were hovering over them 
and produce more spiritual health, peace, and purity. 
It is therefore, better for a minister, on those trying 
occasions, in place of being discouraged and throwing 
up his situation, to hold on to his station, trust in God, 
and discharge his duty faithfully ; and he will ultimately 
see light arising out of darkness, and order out of con- 
fusion. Let him be found " steadfast and unmoveable, 
always abounding in the work of the Lord," and he 
will find that "his labour has not been in vain in the 
Lord." 

Our meeting-house, which had withstood so many 
storms, and had been so frequently repaired, began to 
give way, so much so, that on some windy days it would 
shake and crack, to the no small alarm of many of the 
worshippers. This led them to think of having a more 
safe and commodious house, as they were now in cir- 
cumstances which could afford it, and the change of 
the times demanded it. The, Methodists had erected 
in the village a suitable Meeting-house ; and our people 
concluded to have one there also. They accordingly 
in 1849 built a new Meeting-house in Bovina Centre 
at their own expense; which was allowed to have been 
as well finished and as convenient as any in the county, 
in a beautiful location, and having a gallery, a lobby, 
window blinds, and a steeple ; and every thing, inside 
and outside, done up in modern style; calculated to 
accommodate upwards of 400 persons. Behind were 
shades belonging to certain families calculated to hold 
from 15 to 17 span of horses. The house cost upwards 
of $4000. When the time arrived that we had to leave 
our old venerable place of worship and move down to 
the new one, it was found not to be such an easy matter 
as we imagined, either for minister or people. There 
are associations connected with old friends and old 
places, which in parting from them are found to be 
strong and irrepressible. There I had been permitted 
for nearly twenty years, through good and through bad 
report, amidst encouragements and discouragements, 
to lead in the worship of God, expound his Word, 



OF HEV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



89 



address his Throne of Grace, and dispense the seals of 
his Covenant, to hundreds, many of whom had given 
in their account — and the Great "Day will alone de- 
clare" to whom the Word preached was "the savour 
of life unto life, or of death unto death." There, we 
have every reason to believe, many " were made to sit 
in heavenly places w r ith Christ Jesus, and were sealed 
unto the day of" complete "redemption." However 
cold and uncomfortable in winter, and suffocating in 
summer, there was something in the very place which 
words cannot explain, where we had held sweet fellow- 
ship and communion with God; where parents had 
devoted themselves and their offspring to His service; 
and where we had met with those w r ith w 7 hom w r e took 
sweet counsel, got strength when weak, light w r hen in 
darkness, and encouragement when cast down, — which 
caused us to leave it w T ith reluctance and to "cast many 
a longing, lingering look behind." The grave-yard, 
which w 7 hen I first came there, had only a few com- 
mitted to its keeping until Christ shall bring them with 
Him when He shall come in the clouds of heaven wdth 
power and great glory, w^as now so full of inhabitants, 
that another had to be opened. Another generation 
had arisen around me, many of whom I had baptised 
and had joined in marriage, and whose children I had 
also baptised; and whom I had the pleasure of seeing 
offering fair for being useful in the church, and an hon- 
our to society. "The promise is to you, and to your 
children." The last Sabbath we w^ere in our old place 
of worship, I preached with more than ordinary free- 
dom, in the forenoon, from Exodus xxxiii. 15, — "If 
Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence;" 
and in the afternoon from verse 14th, — "My presence 
shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Both 
these passages afforded an abundance of thoughts suit- 
able for the occasion ; but how I disposed of them I 
shall not venture to say. I distinctly remember I had 
some strange indescribable feelings when for the last 
time I came dow r n from that high old-fashioned pulpit, 
which when I first entered in December 1831 I was 
vigorous and in the prime of life, and newly come from 
8* 



90 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 

my native land; but now my hair was becoming silver- 
gray, and my strength was beginning to fail me, both 
in body and mind. Such are some of the changes to 
which we are subjected in this transitory world. 

Next Sabbath, when our new place of worship was 
opened, it was filled in every corner. I gave out the 
One hundredth Psalm, long measure; which was sung 
with more voices and with more earnestness and deep 
feeling than we had been accustomed to in former 
times; every thing around us tending to produce those 
emotions. Such was the effect of the great change on 
the minds of many, that tears were seen gathering in 
their eyes. I have to confess that my own feelings were 
like to get the better of me when I heard such a swell 
of voices sounding along the high roof, and when for 
the first time I rose in that place, in such a vast assem- 
bly, to address the throne of Grace. In the forenoon 
I preached with great freedom from Zechariah iv. 7. 
(last clause), — "And he shall bring forth the head-stone 
thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it;" 
and in the afternoon from verse 6th, — "Not by might, 
nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." 
In place of a high, small tub of a Pulpit, calculated 
only to hold two, and a door to fasten them in, we now 
had one only two feet from the floor, without any doors 
at all, calculated to hold five or six persons sitting, 
ranging in front something like a carpenter's bench ; 
the book-board covered with crimson silk-velvet; and 
the floor with a carpet. 

When I had to baptise children in the old house, I 
had to go down the pulpit stairs, and carry my tumbler 
of water in my hand; but in the New house we had a 
silver font fixed on the pulpit, and the parents brought 
right in front. In place of a low roof, and the gallery 
not far from the pulpit, we had a high roof, and a gallery 
a long way back ranged round like an amphitheatre, 
closely packed with attentive listeners. I found it was, 
nevertheless, more easy to speak and of course for the 
audience to hear, than in the old house. There were 
a few aged members who had seen many changes in 
the congregation, around whom a new generation had 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



91 



arisen, with new fashions and manners, who were not 
so much at home in the new sanctuary as in the old 
one. They were like the aged worshippers who re- 
turned from Babylon, and who, when they saw the second 
temple wept, and said it was far inferior in their eyes 
to the old in which they and their fathers worshipped. 
I have often thought there was much in the following 
promise, (which was once preached from in the hearing 
of many) that was fulfilled respecting that portion of 
God's vineyard in which my lot was cast, and in which 
I still take a deep interest: u The glory of this latter 
house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord 
of Hosts; and in this place will I give peace, saith the 
Lord of Hosts." 

When the Lord's Supper was dispensed we had a 
great many accessions, and a very encouraging and re- 
viving time. On the Monday 13 children were baptized; 
and when the fathers and mothers were arranged in 
front of the pulpit with their infants in their arms, 
taking on themselves the vows, — "To keep up the 
worship of God in their family evening and morning 
as God in his providence gave them opportunity, by 
singing his praise, reading a portion of his Word, and 
calling on his name ; also to be engaged in secret prayer 
for them and the other members of their families; and 
that if God should spare their children with them, they 
would bring them up in the nurture and admonition 
of the Lord; not withholding the rod when it was 
necessary," &c. — it was, I say, a very imposing and 
interesting sight. 

In those days, the Thursday before the Sacrament 
was observed by all as if it had been a Sabbath Day; 
and on Saturday and Monday they attended regularly 
and listened to the Word preached. Good Mr. Leiper 
said, he had been in many congregations during Sacra- 
mental occasions, but he had never seen a people turn 
so well out as they did on preaching days, or who were 
so well supplied with Bibles and made such use of them 
in church ; for, said he, — " When I gave out my text, 
nothing could be heard but a rustling among the leaves 
of their Bibles in order to find out the passage. " 



92 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



It was in this way they were brought up in the old 
Meeting-house; and they were resolved not to give it 
up in the new one. The Methodists had Sermon every 
afternoon at 3 o'clock, just at the time we commonly 
came out, and a number of young persons, male and 
female, made it a regular practice to attend with us and 
then go to them afterwards; and to accomplish this 
they would often go out before public worship was over, 
and in so doing disturb others by their tramping along 
the gallery and down the stairs. Although complaints 
were made to me about such conduct I bore with it for 
some time, until I saw that in place of this practice 
being given up, matters became worse; when one after- 
noon, the commotion having commenced, I stopped 
preaching and said, — "As there are certain individuals 
who make a regular practice of leaving the house before 
the close of public worship, causing considerable inat- 
tention and confusion, I shall stop for a few minutes 
for the time to come, in order that such persons may 
have an opportunity to withdraw." I then said nothing 
for a few minutes, when many eyes were turned to see 
who would rise and go out, but not one moved from 
his or her seat. This put an end to that practice. 

Matters went on encouragingly, and unity and peace 
prevailed amongst us, and we were not without evi- 
dences that the Lord was in the miclst of us. Perhaps 
neither Pastor nor people were duly thankful for the 
great things the Lord had wrought for us; nor hum- 
bled enough for our sins as. families and individuals, in 
in the neglect of family duties, or for the formal and 
careless performance of others ; or perhaps we looked 
more to the hand of man and ascribed more to our own 
wisdom in what we had done, than to His hand, and 
His wisdom, power, and goodness who had ordered all 
things for our good. Whether all or any of these were 
the cause of God's displeasure with us, and of putting 
into our hands the cup of affliction, and making us to 
drink the wine of astonishment, I shall not venture to 
affirm ; but I know there was a need be for what came 
over us, otherwise it never would have taken place. 
We had scarcely been two years in our place of worship, 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



93 



when it pleased God to lay me aside from public work 
in his vineyard by a stroke of paralysis in my left side. 
The natural cause of this physicians, and others who 
knew my habits and temperament, said was too much 
confinement to the house; close study in writing for 
the press, and preparing my discourses; and not taking 
exercise enough in the open air: in this I am now dis- 
posed to think there was too much truth ; and I saw 
it when it was too late. 

As soon as I found that there was little prospect that 
I should soon be able to resume preaching, I sent to 
Presbytery a request to supply my pulpit; which they 
accordingly did, as far as lay in their power, though 
at times for many Sabbath my people were without 
Sermon. This they were not accustomed to, for I sel- 
dom or never went from home, except once a year to 
Presbytery, and once in two years to Synod when it 
met in Philadelphia, and occasionally away on a mission 
tour to some preaching Stations, such as Delhi and 
Lansingville. It is not a little singular, that during 
twenty years I preached twice every Sabbath, except 
three Sabbaths on which I was prevented by sickness 
from preaching: although often I appeared in public 
when very unfit for duty. Many think a minister should 
never be sick; nor be absent, however much they are 
so themselves without sufficient cause. I recovered, 
and by the good hand of God upon me was able to go 
about; and when a minister came, I was able to attend 
meeting and take part in public worship. It came to 
be a question with me and others, whether it would be 
better to retain my pastoral relation for some time, till 
it should be seen whether I should become more able 
to preach again ; or whether, for the advantage of the 
people and my own comfort, it would be better on cer- 
tain conditions to resign my charge into the hands of 
Presbytery, let the people pay their own supply, and 
call another minister. 

These two questions occupied our attention, and to 
decide on them a meeting of the congregation was called, 
at which it was decided by a large majority that if I 
would resign my charge, they would pay up all arrear- 



94 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



ages, and give a Mortgage of $700 which they held on 
the Manse and glebe, which they had but lately sold, 
provided I would give them a receipt in full. To this 
proposal I finally agreed, because though I could have 
held on for an indefinite time to my charge, as some 
of the members of Presbytery and others advised me, 
yet I saw it would be more conducive to the peace and 
prosperity of the congregation, for them to look out 
for another Pastor, than for me to hang on among them, 
which perhaps might have been the means of scattering 
and dividing them. Besides, as I had to pay all the 
* supply that came on from the time of my sickness until 
I was relieved from my charge out of my $350 of salary, 
I found that was more than I could long continue to 
do. I have been the more particular in stating these 
things here, to show that the $700 was not given as a 
gift, as has been generally believed, but as the payment 
of a debt which they voluntarily bound themselves to 
pay me on the express condition that I " should resign 
my charge and give a receipt in full." They having 
handed to me the mortgage and thus cleared matters 
in as satisfactory and friendly a manner as could have 
been expected, I wrote to the Presbytery to that effect ; 
offered the resignation of my charge ; and expressed a 
hope that they would see their way clear to accept it. 
The following document w T ill show what took place: — 

" At a meeting of the Associate Presbytery of Albany 
on September 28th, 1853, the following resolution ; 
offered by Mr. Hall, was unanimously adopted ; and 
the clerk was directed to transmit a copy to Mr. Gra- 
ham, — Resolved, that in accepting the resignation of 
Father Graham, we deplore the dispensation by which he 
is compelled to resign his charge; that we truly sympa- 
thize with him in his affliction; and earnestly pray that 
his last days may be his best days. 'Help, Lord! for 
the godly man ceaseth ; for the faithful fail from among 
the children of men/ — A true copy. Attested by 
Samuel F. Morrow, clerk." 

Mr. Morrow, by appointment of Presbytery, preached 
and declared the pulpit vacant; and in doing so, our 
young, kind Brother was very much overcome. 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



95 



During the time I was the Minister of the congre- 
gation of Bovina, I explained the verses of the Psalm 
we were to sing in the morning, which exercise gener- 
ally occupied twenty minutes ; and in this manner I 
went regularly through the whole of the Psalms and 
had begun to go through them the second time. I also 
in the forenoon lectured through the Gospels of Matthew, 
Luke, and John; the Acts of the Apostles; the Epis- 
tles to the Ephesians, Hebrews, Philippians, Colossians ; 
four chapters of the Revelation of John ; five chapters 
of Genesis; and had gone as far in the Epistle to the 
Romans as thexiii. chapter and the 11th verse, — "And 
that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to 
awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than 
when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is 
at hand," &c, — when God, in His wisdom and love, 
said, It is enough! These verses were the last X.Avas 
ever permitted to explain, in my ordinary course of 
lecturing. I had good reason to believe that the ex- 
planation of the Psalm, and the Lecture in the forenoon, 
were blessed for the edification and instruction of the 

^people. These were a part of the public exercises for 
which I made all necessary preparation, and in the 

• performance of which I commonly had great liberty, 
and found much good to my own soul. To the last, I 
wrote out my sermons and committed them to memory 
as well as I could; and I never ventured to enter the 
pulpit without in secret supplicating God's assistance, 
and having my manuscript in my pocket. Some of my 
sermons I transcribed and condensed, and occasionally 
published in the Evangelical Repository ; which can be 
seen in Volumes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, and 
20 of that valuable Periodical; under the signature of 
"Delaware." 

During the period of my ministry in Bovina congre- 
gation, I baptized some four hundred children, and 
joined in marriage about two hundred couples. 

What shall be the results of all that was said and 
done during those upwards of twenty years of my min- 
istry, the day of final accounts only will disclose. 



96 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



CHAPTER VIII. 

FROM THE CLOSE OF MY MINISTRY AT BOVINA IN 1853, 
TILL THE PRESENT TIME, 1869. 

History of Bovina congregation continued — Call to Mr. J. A. 
Leiper— His early death — Much regretted — Call to Kev. 
J ames B. Lee the present Pastor — Accepted — His ordination 
— Qreat prosperity of the congregation under his ministry — 
The congregations around, which swarmed from that of Bo- 
vina — All now nourishing congregations — Bovina " a prolific 
congregation" — Being now released from its Pastoral charge, 
considered what I should do — Felt then the Benefit of having 
a farm and home of our own — Resolved to sell our farm and 
remove to the Far West — My reluctance to do so — Emigrated 
to Iowa — Left Bovina in March 1856 — Kindness of our friends 
at parting — Our route— Crossed the Mississippi — Still on- 
ward ! — Halt at Birmingham — Bought a farm and settled at 
Winterset, Iowa — Then a godless place — Game and wild beasts 
abundant — Commenced to break up our prairie land — My 
health improved — An Associate church had been organized 
there — Its weak condition — I volunteered to preach to them 
gratis — Did so for two or three years — Hardships — Despond- 
ing feelings — Took courage — Prevalent prejudices against 
our church principles — Rev. R. J. Hammond sent to preach 
to us for a time — Account of the Sacrament then observed — 
Encouraged — Mr. S.'s able preaching — Difference and dis- 
cussion about the union which had resulted in the United 
Presbyterian Church — The results — A struggle for life as a 
congregation — Rev. Mr. McCullough assisted at communion — 
Rev. C. T. McCaughan preached to us — A call given to him 
■ — Accepted — Installed in 1865 — Has proved a most success- 
ful Pastor — His abundant labours — Extension and prosperity 
of the United Presbyterian Church at Winterset and in all 
the region around — Great improvements of the country there 
since we first came — Reflections on the recent political changes 
in our country — "The under-ground railroad" — its former 
operations — now happily unnecessary — Apostrophe to slavery 
— The history of the anti-slavery movement— Small beginings 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



97 



and great results — The War — My sons volunteered at the out- 
set of it — Our parental anxieties for them — All returned safe 
and sound at the close of the war — Our family meeting and 
thanksgiving — Good to remember God's gracious dealing with 
us — His faithfulness to his promise in my own case — The good 
wish of the Presbytery of Albany in my behalf has been ac- 
complished. 

The congregation gave a unanimous call to Mr. J. 
A. Leiper to become their Pastor; which, after taking 
some time to consider, he accepted. He was deeply 
seated in their affections and they were so in his ; both 
longing for the time for the ordination to take place. 
But we little know how soon our prosperous state may 
be turned into vanity. During the summer, the dis- 
ease Consumption gained on him, so that he had to 
give up preaching. He went home to his father's house 
in Pennsylvania; and seeing that he was getting worse, 
he returned the call which he had received from the 
people he loved, and cheerfully and resignedly accepted 
the call from God whom he served so faithfully, "Arise 
and depart; for this is not your rest!" When the news 
of his death came, it filled every heart with sorrow, 
and every habitation with mourning. Such was the 
way God was pleased to deal with his young servant, 
who offered, so far, for being useful in that portion of 
his vineyard; " causing his sun to go down at noon- 
day;" thus teaching those who were longing for him 
to be their Pastor, to look for another from the Minister 
of the upper sanctuary. Mr. Leiper was of a mild, pleas- 
ant disposition; retired and unassuming; in company, 
more given to listen and learn from others than to hear 
himself speak. His pulpit exhibitions at once impressed 
any one who heard him, with the conviction that his 
heart was in his work. There was a plainness and 
earnestness in his manner which commanded attention, 
and which were expressed in his look and in the tones 
of his voice. In gesticulations he was very sparing. 
No one could listen to him without being impressed 
with the conviction, that he was habitually living under 
the influence of those truths which he preached. Though 
I heard him deliver many excellent discourses with 
great pleasure, yet there was one which he delivered 
9 



98 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



to a large assembly who seemed to hang on every word 
that dropped from his lips, which was long remembered ; 
the text was, 1 Chron. xxviii. 9; "And thou Solomon 
my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve 
Him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: 
for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth 
all the imaginations of the thoughts : if thou seek Him, 
he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, he 
will cast thee off for ever." 

About a year after the death of Mr. Leiper, they gave 
a call to Rev. Samuel McArthur; which he declined 
because it was not harmonious. 

In the winter of 1856 they gave a unanimous call to 
Mr. James B. Lee; which he accepted. I presided on 
the occasion, and preached from Acts x. 29 ; " Therefore 
came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was 
sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent 
for me?" Mr. Lee having delivered his trial discourses 
to the intire satisfaction of the Presbytery of Albany, 
was ordained on the 1st day of August, in the presence 
of a large assembly collected from different places, all 
of whom were deeply interested, and felt thankful that, 
in the good providence of God, " their eyes were once 
more permitted to see their teacher." Rev. James 
Thompson, of New York, preached the Ordination 
sermon, from 2 Cor. v. 20; "Now then we are ambas- 
sadors for Christ; as though God did beseech you by 
us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to 
God." Rev. Samue] F. Morrow, of Albany, addressed 
the Pastor ; Rev. George M. Hall, of Florida, the people ; 
and Rev. W. J. Cleland, of Delhi, offered up the Or- 
dination prayer, and presided on the occasion. It w r as 
a day much to be remembered, during which the power 
of the Lord was present to heal, comfort, and encourage 
his people; and which commenced a new era in their 
history; for which they blessed God and took courage. 

About two months after the ordination, the Sacra- 
ment of the Supper was dispensed, when 37 persons 
united w 7 ith the church. The congregation has pros- 
pered remarkably well under Mr. Lee's ministry. They 
have Prayer-meetings, Bible class, and Sabbath-school, 



OF KEY. JOHN GRAHAM. 



99 



all of which are well attended • and they pay their Pastor 
punctually $1200 annually. They have reported last 
year 316 members; and the amount collected during 
the year was $2655. These, and many other things 
which might be mentioned, give convincing evidence 
that the Lord has answered prayers formerly presented 
in their behalf, and that He has blessed the labours of 
their present able and highly esteemed Pastor. May 
love and peace long remain among them ; and may they 
maintain and hand down to their children's children 
the same precious truths which were taught to them 
by their fathers! 

West Delhi, Lansingville, the majority of Andes, 
New Kingston, and Walton congregations, all of which 
are self-sustaining, swarmed from the old hive in Bo- 
vina; and still it continues to prosper, and could part 
with more without missing them. As Rev. James 
Douglas, a Covenanter, said, after he saw me on a Mon- 
day after the Sacrament baptizing 13 children in the 
new Meeting-house, — "Well sir, I must declare that 
you have a prolific congregation I" 

My pastoral connection with the congregation having 
been dissolved in a regular and satisfactory manner, 
we were at a loss for some time to know what was the 
design of Providence respecting our future movements. 
We now felt the benefit of having a home of our own, 
after I was unable to do any thing; and of the family 
being brought up to work and to help themselves and 
their parents ; in place of being in the Manse, out of 
which we should have had to move, to make room for 
another. This produced peace of mind, both to parents 
and children. It is true our beginning was small, and 
our labours and privations for many years were great, 
to raise such a large family on such a small salary, in 
such a genteel manner; yet, by the blessing of God 
accompanying our efforts, we succeeded far beyond our 
expectations and those of others. This proves, what 
I have said already, that ministers, when first ordained, 
should catch time and opportunities by the forelock, 
to better themselves; and not let them slip, lest they 
should have to repent it afterwards. 



100 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



On consideration, we found that, though our farm 
was in good repair, well fenced, with two excellent 
frame barns with stone cellars under them, and an ex- 
cellent, well-finished, commodious new house on it, — 
it was too small to employ all the boys working on it, 
so as to remunerate them for their labour. Some said, 
let them hire out and work, as others do. To this we 
never would give our consent, however much some 
might have liked to see a minister's sons working to 
them and kept under. Neither were they willing to 
leave home. We at length made up our minds that, 
all things taken into consideration, it would be better 
to sell, and move to the West, where land was cheap, 
and where the family might have more advantages. 
I stood out against this a long time, principally on the 
ground that I was too old and too weak a tree to be 
pulled up and to be transplanted in a new soil; for I 
was afraid I would wither and die among their hands 
before I got that length. In this opinion I was strength- 
ened by others. In that place in those days it was 
thought to be a remarkable undertaking to go as far 
as Illinois or Iowa; where, as some said, they had to 
encounter bears, wolves, rattlesnakes, and Indians. I 
at last consented, if the family were all agreed to sell 
and move West, to seek a home beyond the Mississippi, 
that, Providence permitting, I would not oppose it any 
longer; although I had my doubts and fears for the 
consequences as to my health. 

After corresponding with several parties in Iowa 
respecting the prices of land and other things, we sold 
our homestead. When winding up our affairs and pre- 
paring to leave, many of our true and steady friends 
called to bid us farewell, and gave us unmistakable 
evidences of their attachment to us. We felt sorry to 
leave the place where we had been so long; where all 
our children were born ; and where it had pleased God 
in his providence to deal so mercifully with us all. We 
left Bovina the last week of March 1856, in sleighs, 
when the snow-banks were beginning to break through ; 
two kind neighbours, viz. Mr. James Graham ^Orm- 
iston, and Mr. Joseph Shaw sst Raitt, taking us down 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



101 



to Delhi, where we took the stage to Hancock; thence 
the Express train to Woodstock, Canada West, by way 
of Niagara Falls. Having remained with oar relations 
a week and got rested, we took the . cars for Iowa by 
way of Detroit and Chicago; and crossed the Father 
of Waters at Burlington on the 18th day of April. 

Some strange thoughts arose in my mind the first 
morning I awoke in Iowa. A quarter of a century 
had passed away, which appeared only like a dream of 
the night, since " with my staff I crossed " the Atlantic ; 
and last night when I crossed the Mississippi, "I had 
become two bands." I thought on that Text I preached 
my first Sermon from in New York, — "And, behold, 
I am with thee, in all places whither thou goest;" and 
how frequently that promise had been made good in 
my experience. 

After breakfast I, along with three of the youngest 
boys, went down to the River, and looked at the never 
ceasing flowing waters that had come so many thou- 
sands of miles, gliding along until they should find a 
resting-place in the Gulf of Mexico. I stood with won- 
der and astonishment at what I saw; and mused on 
how I came to be there with an awe amounting to some- 
thing like reverence. I thought on my own feelings 
then, when afterwards in the newspapers I saw it stated, 
how Horace Greely when on his way to cross the rocky 
mountains, on taking his last look of the far-famed 
River, took off his hat, made a bow, and said, " Fare- 
well, farewell, thou Father of Waters!" 

As there was then no railroad in the direction of our 
route beyond Burlington, we hired a Teamster to take 
us on to Birmingham, Van Buren Co., two days' ride; 
where our old acquaintance Rev. Samuel Mc Arthur 
was then settled. Here we met with many kind breth- 
ren belonging to the Associate Church, who showed 
us no small kindness, and helped us on our w T ay. They 
were anxious for us to remain amongst them. This 
we did not feel inclined to do, as we had written on to 
Mr. William Hastie to look us out a house, and that 
we would, Providence permitting, follow soon. We 
then hired a wagon at the rate of $8 per day and keep 



102 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



teamster and team. They only know who have experi- 
enced it what it is to ride with twelve passengers in 
wet weather over bad roads, broken bridges, and bot- 
tomless sloughs; and to stop over night in mean, com- 
fortless, and expensive taverns, or shanties. After four 
days' unpleasant travelling by way of Oskaloosa, Knox- 
ville, and Palmyra, we landed, tired and done out, in 
Mr. William Hastie's, Summerset, "Warren Co. Iowa, 
where we were kindly received and entertained. I 
found the congregation were almost all from the South 
of Scotland. They had neither a Meeting-house nor 
a Minister. I preached to them in an unfinished house 
once every Sabbath while I remained among them ; and 
by appointment of Presbytery I moderated in a call 
for Mr. J. B. Lee. The people were very much attached 
to the doctrines and mode of worship in which they 
had been brought up ; and liberal in the support of the 
gospel among themselves, and in sending it to others. 
They were intelligent, sober, and industrious; with 
well-improved and well-stocked farms, offering fair at 
no distant day of becoming exceedingly rich ; but they 
were as sheep without a shepherd, and had much need 
of one to teach them, both by precept and example. 

We made several efforts to get a farm there, but, 
somehow or other, all failed. The fact was, God in his 
providence had not marked out that place for our resi- 
dence; therefore we had to move. I learned that there 
were a few belonging to the Associate Church in or near 
Winterset, in Madison County. I, along with our eldest- 
son John W., embraced the first opportunity of going 
to see that place. We liked the appearance of the 
country, being well supplied with timber and limestone, 
and well watered. After looking round, we fixed on 
a farm on the DesMoines road, three miles from Win- 
terset, consisting of 220 acres at $12 per acre; 20 of 
which were broken and fenced. It had on it a log 
house and a log stable, several living springs, 40 acres 
of the best of timber, a lime kiln in operation, and an 
inexhaustible supply of limestone and freestone, and 
good appearance of coal along the bluffs. We also got 
the crops of ten acres of wheat and ten of corn. We 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



103 



paid down the gold; had our deed made out and re- 
corded ; and got possession about the end of May of 
our new home in the Far West; which was surrounded 
with beautiful undulating prairies, on w r hich droves of 
sheep, oxen, and horses were pasturing, no one knowing 
where they came from, or to whom they belonged. The 
Prairie chickens, quails, wild turkies, and rabbits were 
then in great abundance. During the night the wolves 
came howling around our house, which made us very 
much afraid. Although all of us were huddled up in 
a log cabin eighteen feet by twenty, without any thing 
above our heads except the rafters and shingles; or any 
thing beneath our feet except a few loose boards, through 
"which at times we fell; and having only one small win- 
dow, w r hich held four panes of glass ; and no seats but 
a few benches; yet we were all healthy and happy. 
We liked the appearance of the country ; and felt thank- 
ful that God had been pleased to provide for us a habi- 
tation once more, after all our wanderings, which we 
could call our own. 

But when the first impressions began to wear away, 
and we thought of the new commodious house,, barns, 
and orchard we had left, and our many kind Christian 
friends whose faces we should see no more, the blues 
began to gain among us, and the home-sick fever pre- 
vailed to a considerable extent; for which there seemed 
to be no immediate relief. What tended to produce 
this state of mind was, our being far removed from 
religious society, silent Sabbaths, no preaching, nor 
prayer-meeting, and surrounded with those who made 
the Lord's Day a day of feasting, idleness, horse-racing, 
and hunting. It grieved and vexed us to hear the 
sound of the axe and the crack of the rifle on that blessed 
day which God had commanded to be remembered and 
kept holy. Sometimes thoughts arose in our minds, 
whether we had done wrong, in bringing such a large 
family away from divine Ordinances, and setting them 
down in such an out-of-the-way, wild, graceless place; 
and reflections what might be the consequences if we 
should be taken away from them; what temptations 
they should be exposed to through the wicked examples 



104 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



of those around them; and the risk of their falling in 
with the dangerous errors of religious doctrine which 
abounded. In such circumstances as these, it is difficult 
to determine what course to follow: whether to move 
away to another place; or to continue, and use what 
means are within our power to speak and act for our 
blessed Master. The best way is to pray, and wait, 
and persevere, and not give up without a fair trial: for 
I know many good opportunities for raising a congre- 
gation in the West have been lost by persons becoming 
discouraged and moving away to another place; where- 
as, if they had continued, others would have gathered 
round them and assisted them. This last course we 
resolved to follow ; although it put our faith and patience 
more to the test than we ever expected. 

We got a breaking team and a breaking plough, and 
the boys set to work and tore up the beautiful prairie, 
and turned up the black loam to the sun, that had re- 
mained unseen, perhaps since the days of Noah; and 
then split rails, fenced it, sowed it with wheat, and 
planted it with corn next year. The boys were both able 
and willing to work, and we soon had a good farm, and 
a better house, together with a good stock of sheep, 
hogs, and horned cattle. 

My health which many said would certainly fail, and 
of which I had my fears, gradually improved far be- 
yond our expectations, occasioned by the change of 
climate and mode of living, together with peace of mind 
and exercise among the wild prairie flowers, and the 
pleasant smell arising from the virgin soil being broken 
up around us ; so much so that I thought I could preach 
occasionally. An organization in connection with the 
Associate Presbytery of Iowa had been effected about 
a year before we came, consisting of eight members, 
who were generally in moderate circumstances, begin- 
ning to improve their land. After becoming acquainted 
with them, and having found them in a weak and dis- 
couraged condition, I told them that if they could obtain 
any place in Winterset to meet in, I should, as long as 
my health permitted, preach to them in the forenoon 
of every Sabbath without any fee or reward. This I 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



105 



did for two or three years, pretty regularly, except in 
the stormy days of winter; and had every reason to 
believe that the Head of the church was pleased to bless 
our feeble endeavours in keeping his friends together 
until others "came to His help against the mighty/' 
In doing this I often had to preach in unfinished houses 
(the immigration was so great that every small room or 
hut w T as full); and not unfrequently w T hen we had no 
place to meet in I preached to them out of doors. We 
met with no small opposition from several quarters, 
and were looked upon as persons who belonged to a 
sect every where spoken against, and who advocated 
strange doctrines on slavery, communion, psalmody, 
and secret societies; which they declared to our face 
never would make progress in that place : and I must 
confess that frequently, when hard bestead, I was dis- 
posed to think they were not mistaken. But God was 
for us, and the gates of hell could not prevail against 
us. If we were few, we were united and determined 
to stand our ground; and although our enemies were 
many, our hearts were one. It never will meet with 
divine approbation, either in this world or in that which 
is to come, to be like 

" The sons of Ephraim, who nor bows 

Nor other arms did lack ; 
Whenas the day of battle was, 
They faintly turned back ;" 

but we should be resolved to abide by the cause of 
Christ, whatever reproach or persecution we may in 
consequence be exposed to. In doing this, we have 
many great and precious promises given in God's Word 
for our encouragement. 

In June 1856, Rev. R. J. Hammond was sent by 
the Associate Presbytery of Iowa to preach to us for a 
few Sabbaths and dispense the Lord's Supper. This 
he did, and was the means of encouraging our hearts 
and strengthening our hands in the good work of the 
Lord. The following account of that occasion appeared 
in the Evangelical Repository, "Vol xv. pp* 281-2: "It 



106 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



was a time of refreshing, not only to the twelve com- 
municants who sat down under their Redeemer's shadow 
with great delight, but also to many others who wor- 
shipped with us, especially to our brethren of the As- 
sociate Reformed Church, who rejoiced in all that was 
said and done. We believe it was the first time the 
Lord's Supper was ever dispensed in connexion with 
the Associate Church so far west of the Mississippi; 
and it is hoped the same and other ordinances of grace 
will not only be enjoyed by us in time to come, but 
also by others farther west, and north, and south of us, 
where the Great Shepherd shall seek out and bring 
together his wandering sheep. It was our intention, 
before leaving Bovina, to endeavour, if possible, to 
locate the family within the bounds of one of our con- 
gregations where they had a settled minister; but it 
appears the Lord designed it otherwise. I thought, 
as the shadows of the evening were lengthening out, 
that ease and retirement were most adapted to me; but 
He has thought otherwise, by strengthening me beyond 
all expectation, and locating me in a place where my 
feeble services and advice are occasionally required and 
appreciated/' 

I have lived to see the United Presbyterian Church 
extending her influence, by having ministers settled 
in flourishing congregations far to the south, north, 
east, and west of us. 

Our cause, though opposed, gradually increased by 
immigration, so that we were able to pay for supply. 

When the Union took place in 1858, we had Mr. S — 

appointed to us for a year, with the understanding that 
we were to call him to be our Pastor; than whom, in 
my opinion, no one has yet been amongst us, who ever 
came up to him, for an earnest, practical, impressive 
preacher. At this time we were in a prosperous con- 
dition, and promised fair to become a large congrega- 
tion: but we had to meet with adversity, and to have 
our faith and patience tried. 

It was soon discovered that there was a diversity of 
opinion existing among us respecting the union which 
had taken place; and in order to come to some decision 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



107 



what we were to do, a meeting of those in full com- 
munion was called, when, after a full expression of 
sentiment pro and con, had taken place, during which 
considerable warmth of feeling was manifested, especi- 
ally by Mr. S., who opposed the union, and who, among 
other things said, in some of his raptures, — "I am de- 
termined to oppose this union, and shall never be led 
on, or borne down, by any little Scotchman," I re- 
member of rising cool and collected, and saying with 
some firmness,— " Ah, Mr. S. the little Scotchman is 
not afraid of a bold Irishman; and if you will only 
keep quiet for a little while, he will cut your arguments 
all to pieces." It was agreed that I should call the 
roll and ascertain who were for and who were against 
the Union; when the vote stood 27 in favour of it and 
13 against it. Mr. S. along with the minority with- 
drew, constituted, and called themselves the Associate 
Presbyterian congregation of A^interset; elected trus- 
tees, made out a deed for the church lot, and claimed 
it as their own. 

This was rather a critical time with us, and it looked 
as if we were to be entirely broken up; of which I was 
not without fears. Mr. S. who was a popular preacher, 
drew the people after him, and left us much weakened 
and discouraged. Seeing that if we did not stand our 
ground, and do something to keep together, we might 
repent of it afterwards, I accordingly, though not very 
fit for it, gave out that we who were favourable to the 
Union should meet in our usual place of worship ; and 
that I w^ould preach for them till one was sent by Pres- 
bytery to take my place. This had the effect of keeping 
them together, and though our audiences were small, it 
manifested to our opponents that we were resolved to 
cling together, and not, as they said, "be scattered to 
the four winds." From the Associate Reformed side 
we got an addition of two elders and ten members; and 
lost three elders, worthy men, two trustees, and eight 
members; leaving us one elder, one trustee, and twenty 
five members. 

I held a meeting, of Session, at which it was agreed 
we should have the Lord's Supper dispensed, and that 



108 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



I should write on to get Mr. McCullough to assist; 
who was then by appointment preaching at Indianola. 
He came, and did all the preaching; at which I thought 
he was very good: and I distributed the elements, bap- 
tized the children, &c. This was a memorable occasion ; 
and, by the divine blessing, we became more united 
and encouraged. Mr. S. moved to Ohio, and those 
who adhered to him went away also to other places; 
while we held on our way, and waxed stronger and 
stronger. For years after, we had a great many changes 
and discouragements, often being six or seven months 
without any preaching when I became unable to preach ; 
none of the least was the disappointment we met with 
in Mr. D. returning our call to Presbytery after he had 
accepted it and had sent on word to look out a house 
for him as he was soon coming amongst us. As neither 
he nor any member of Presbytery even condescended 
to assign any reason for such unchristian treatment, 
we were left to our own conjectures what were the 
reasons. Sometimes we ascribe our change of mind 
and conduct to the will of Providence when it originates 
in our own depraved hearts, from the love of money, 
or something else. It is said of the worthy Rev. Eben- 
ezer Erskine, that when he had accepted a call to go 
to Stirling, one of his parishioners met him and ac- 
costed him in the following manner, — "Weel, Mr. 
Erskine, what mak's ye think o' leaving the godly par- 
ish o' Portmoak whar ye ha'e sae mony seals o ; yer 
ministry, and gang awa' to that graceless toon o' Sterlin' 
whar Satan has his seat?" "A call in providence, Effie," 
answered Mr. Erskine, "you know, must be attended 
to." " Indeed, sir, let me tell you," quoth Effie, "if 
it had not been the love o y a bigger steepend, and to 
get awa' amang the gentry, ye wad ha ? e turned the 
deafest side o ; yer head, and let providence ca', and ca', 
until it was tired ca'ing." 

The Rev. C. T. McCaughan preached to us in 1864 
for five Sabbaths, and visited every person and family 
belonging to the congregation; and afterwards he re- 
ceived a unanimous call, which he accepted. He was 
installed in August 1865. He has proved a devoted 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



109 



and diligent pastor ; whose honest, sociable, and gentle- 
manly conduct has done much to raise the character of 
the congregation, and gain us many friends from out- 
siders. The congregation has prospered under his min- 
istry, having doubled its numbers since he came among 
us; and we have had a Meeting-house of our own 
erected, which is now out of debt, and which is allowed 
to be the largest, best planned, and best finished house 
in the county. Ever since he came, Mr. McC. has in- 
variably made it his practice to preach in Winterset 
in the forenoon, and in the afternoon go eight, ten, or 
twelve miles out into the country, summer or winter, 
fair weather or foul, to preach in School-houses, where 
a few United Presbyterians were found. The conse- 
quence of these exertions has been, that three of those 
stations have been organized into congregations, and a 
fourth offers soon to follow their example. 

Thus we have lived to see our Church, from very 
small beginnings, extending her influence in this and 
other adjoining Counties and States where the advocates 
of Infidelity, Socinianism, Arminianism, and many 
other systems of error are numerous and zealous ; for 
which we have great reason to bless God and take cour- 
age. May others arise when we shall have served our 
generation and by the will of God fallen asleep in Jesus, 
and stand up faithfully for the principles and practice 
of the United Presbyterian church as witnessed for in 
their Testimony; and be instrumental in holding them 
fast, and handing them down to generations yet unborn! 
We should not be discouraged and " despise the day of 
small things," and say, — Why wait we any longer? 
we shall never have a congregation and a minister here ; 
let us sell out, and move to some other place! — but 
we should keep on steadily in the path of duty, and 
make use of whatever means we have within our reach; 
and if we do so we shall see that God has not been in- 
attentive to our prayers, and that "our labour has not 
been in vain in the Lord." 

The face of society and of the country has intirely 
changed since we came west in 1856. Thousands of 
acres of land that were then lying waste without inhabi- 
10 



110 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



tant are now in the highest state of improvement, with 
good dwelling-houses, school-houses, barns, fences, and 
flourishing orchards in almost every place you can go 
to. None who have not witnessed the rapid growth 
of a new country would ever believe it unless they saw 
it with their own eyes. 

Times and things are changed. When we came here, 
and for years after, especially during the rebellion, the 
under-ground railroad (in' which I was a share-holder 
and office-bearer,) did a very extensive business; so 
much so, that additional night-trains had to be put on 
in order to accommodate the passengers: but when the 
Company broke up for want of employment after the 
war was over, and the books were balanced, all the 
share-holders and officers felt amply rewarded for all 
the money, time, and labour they had bestowed on the 
undertaking. Now, no wanderer who had fled at the 
risk of his life from a land of bondage is seen crossing 
Middle JRiver at some secret place after sun-down when 
all is still; and trudging along the prairie, looking 
behind him to see whether his pursuers were not on 
his track ; with all he possessed on earth tied up in a 
coarse dirty clout; coming to our humble habitation 

and inquiring if u Oul massa lived in dis house?" 

O thou cursed system cf iniquity, injustice, and oppres- 
sion ! thou "hast come to a perpetual end!" The God 
of Justice has listened to the groanings of the prisoners 
and sent them deliverance. Happy are we who have 
lived to see our prayers answered, and our feeble en- 
deavours in behalf of the down-trodden and oppressed 
crowned with success; and who have been permitted 
to witness the last fragment of that villainous system, 
slavery, taken up and dashed against the stones! Oh, 
what a glorious change has taken place! — the Jubilee 
trumpet proclaiming liberty to all the inhabitants of 
the land! Four millions of human beings of the race 
of Adam who were formerly bought and sold, and 
treated like brute beasts in our far-famed land, which 
had declared that "all men are born free and equal," — 
made free, and never again to return to bondage! 

Well do I remember, when the Liberty Party, or 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



Ill 



friends of the slave, put up James G. Birney as a can- 
didate for President, in opposition to Henry Clay the 
great advocate of slavery, himself a slave-holder, of 
writing out a Ticket in favour of the oppressed, and of 
dropping it into the ballot box ; I being the only person 
in our Township who dared attempt such a thing. 
Those were the days when "on the side of the oppressor 
there was power ;" when the friends of the slave were 
few, despised, and looked upon as troublesome, seditious 
persons; often mobbed and " tarred and feathered ;" 
and when John Quincy Adams, the Lovejoys, and many 
others in and out of Congress, at the risk of their lives, 
" opened their mouth in behalf of the dumb." But 
He who is " wonderful in counsel and excellent in work- 
ing, all whose works are truth, and whose ways are 
judgment," has brought deliverance in a time and man- 
ner which had never entered the heart of man to con- 
ceive. The oppressors were permitted to form their 
own plans, and make the snares with which their own 
feet were caught. The rebellion into which they entered 
in order to extend and perpetuate human bondage, was 
the very means of entirely abolishing it. Well may 
we say, — "The Lord hath done great things for us, 
whereof we are glad!" 

The time of the war was a very trying and trouble- 
some time for us. While our sons had to go South 
and fight the rebels, we who remained at home, old and 
young, were insulted and abused by those northern 
rebels with whom we were surrounded. When the first 
call for men was issued by President Abraham Lincoln, 
two of our sons and our son-in-law left the harvest 
field and inlisted in the First Iowa Cavalry and took 
their own horses with them, and about a year after, 
another son inlisted in that same regiment. Poor fel- 
lows! we cheerfully parted with them, to assist in 
putting down that wicked and uncalled for rebellion; 
though we entertained little hope of ever seeing them 
return alive. None can tell except those who have 
experienced it, how many thoughtful days and sleep- 
less nights parents had to endure, when their sons were 
away in the war, not knowing but the next mail might 



112 AUT0B10GKAPHY AND REMINISCENCES 



bring the melancholy tidings that they had been killed. 
However great the trial was to part with them, we felt 
thankful that we had sons who were both able and 
willing to go and fight in defense of the liberties of 
their country. We had great reason to bless God that, 
while thousands never returned, we had our fears dis- 
appointed and our hopes exceeded; for, after one of 
them had served three years, and the others had con- 
tinued in the service six months after the war was ended, 
they all returned in safety, after having been in many 
severe battles, and endured many long and dangerous 
marches through the rebel States, in Missouri, Arkansas, 
Louisiana, Texas, and other places. 

I had the satisfaction of seeing our seven sons and 
three daughters, with our son-in-law and four grand- 
daughters, all in good health, in our new house ; when 
I engaged in prayer with them : thanking the Father 
of all our mercies for all His kindness shown to us; 
for the way He had led and fed us all our life long ; 
especially for answering our prayers in preserving those 
of us who had been on the fields of battle, and restoring 
them safe and sound, once more to see the faces of each 
other. I prayed that we might all be found united 
by faith to Christ Jesus now: and if we should never 
all meet again in this world, that we might all meet 
on the great day of accounts on the right hand of "the 
Great Shepherd of the sheep," and hear him say to us, — 
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom 
prepared for you from before the foundation of the 
world!" It was an impressive meeting, both to old 
and young; all seemed deeply affected. And what 
made it the more solemn was, that I was then in a very 
poor state of health, apparen tly soon to enter the eternal 
world; and what I said came from my heart, and as if 
I were soon to see them no more. 

It is good for us to "remember all the way the Lord 
has led us in the wilderness, to prove us, and to try us, 
and to see whether we will abide by His ways, or not." 
I feel thankful to the Father of all my mercies, for 
sparing me so long on his footstool, who deserved to 
have been cut down as a cumberer of the ground; for 



OF REV. JOHN GRAHAM. 



113 



bearing me up to hoary hairs ; and carrying me through 
so many clangers and difficulties. I have been permitted 
to see all the family grown up; most of them members 
of the United Presbyterian Church; conducting them- 
selves with becoming propriety; four of them married, 
doing well, in comfortable circumstances in homes of 
their own. I have "seen my children's children, and 
peace on Israel." "May the Angel that hath fed and 
led me all my life long bless the lads!" I have every 
reason to believe that the following divine Promise has 
been verified in my happy experience, — "I will be a 
God unto you, and to your seed after you:" — "The 
promise is to you and to your children." 

The Presbytery of Albany, when they loosed me 
from my charge of the Congregation of Bovina sixteen 
years ago, expressed a wish that "my last days might 
be my best days;" and I do believe that prayer has 
been answered. 



10* 



114 



APPENDIX. 



I. 

I have deemed it proper to give a few extracts from 
some of the letters of those worthy men who took such 
a deep interest in me when I was in my native land, 
and also when I came to this country. A more full 
and particular notice of these eminent servants of Christ 
I have written in the Evangelical Repository Vol. xx. 
Nos. 4. 6. and 7. under the title of " Reminiscences." 
I have often indulged in the desire, respecting them, 
which Rev. Alexander Peden expressed, when he lay 
prostrate on the barren heath at Airsmoss, where lay 
the headless and handless body (both having been cut 
off and stuck up in Edinburgh) of that faithful servant 
and distinguished martyr Rev. Richard Cameron, — 
"Oh to be wV Bitchier' 

I. — FROM REV. GEORGE STEVENSON D, D. 

Rev. Dr. Stevenson, of Ayr, author of" The Offices of 
Christ," " Dissertations on the Atonement," &c. writes : 

Ayr, March 4th. 1834. 

Rev. Dear Brother: 
"I should begin with a long apology to you for not 
answering your kind letter sooner. Indeed, I had 
begun a letter for you long ago, and always delayed 



LETTER FROM REV. DR. STEVENSON. 115 



sending it, till I should receive an official account of 
the decision of your Synod of 1832. It has never yet 
come to hand, and I am afraid matters are not so favor- 
able as was expected. It is owing to this circumstance 
that you have not heard officially from us. The Com- 
mittee appointed to correspond with your Committee 
always waited for some communication from them. 
This is the only reason they have not heard from us 
long ago. We have, indeed, very little to communicate. 
Things are going on here, at least with us, in their 
usual way. The Lord removed from us on 26th Sep- 
tember last our worthy Brother Mr. McDerment. This 
was a heavy stroke to us, and particularly to his family 
and congregation; but it becomes us to say, — 'The will 
of the Lord be doneF The Professor (Paxton) is now 
become very feeble, and his congregation a good deal 
reduced as to numbers; and they do not seem to agree 
about an assistant. 

"It gives us great pleasure to hear that you are doing 
so well. I hope every thing remains comfortable be- 
tween you and the congregation. Have you got mar- 
ried yet? If so, you must give my best respects to your 
better half. Our family are in their ordinary. Those 
at home join in best respects to you. I have sent you 
a copy of my Treatise on the Offices of Christ. You will 
see that I have attacked some of your American divines : 
with what success I leave you to judge. You must 
not, however, reprint it in America without letting me 
know, as it would need some corrections. I suppose, 
however, there will be no demand for it in that quarter. 
It has done better here than I expected. I printed 
1250 copies, and I suppose they are nearly all sold. 

"I will be glad to hear from you soon. Give me all 
your Church news. I hope you are still appearing 
boldly for the good old cause, and with success. You 
must excuse the shortness of this letter. I have been 
so much engaged with the pen for some time past, that 
it is a burden to me to resume the task : besides, it will 
take you a number of letters to send me as much in 
writing as I have sent you in print! — With sincere 
wishes for your success in the work of our common 



116 



APPENDIX. 



Master, I am, Rev. and Dear Brother, Yours affection- 
ately, 

George Stevenson. " 

This good man laboured diligently and faithfully 
in his Master's service for some years after I parted 
with him; when he was seized with apoplexy in the 
pulpit during the time of preaching; which, five years 
afterwards, terminated in his death. His son, who was 
settled in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, wrote me a long and 
interesting account of his father's death; from which 
I give the following extract: — 

"Kilwinning, June 14th 1841. 

"Rev. Dear Friend: Perhaps ere this letter reach 
you you may have heard the melancholy tidings of my 
father's last illness and death: but knowing that you 
and my father corresponded, and that you felt a deep 
interest in him, I take up the pen to give you a few 
particulars. Knowing my father as you did, it were 
needless for me to expatiate on his excellencies, which 
endeared him to us while he lived, and now cause us 
to sorrow the more when dead. But we have withal 
many, very many considerations, that should alleviate 
our grief. He was spared to a good old age; yet did 
not outlive his usefulness. Often had he wished that 
he might be continued at his post in the sanctuary 
below until, like Aaron, he should be called up to the 
sanctuary on high ; and God granted him the desire 
of his heart. While he could speak, his language was 
that of resignation and hope. He dwelt much on the 
great and undeserved goodness of God to him; and his 
soul followed hard after God. Even after the power 
of speech had failed, by the motions of the hand and 
expressions of the countenance, it was evident the mind 
was generally capable of acting, and that the exercises 
of religion were still his delight. He seemed to feel 
special delight in the duty of praise; and on the Thurs- 
day before his death, as we were singing by his bed- 
side these lines of his favourite Psalm, — 'God is our 
refuge and our strength/ &c, he caused us raise him 
up in his bed, and made several attempts to join, in 
which he partly succeeded. But oh, how different now! 



LETTER FROM REV. PROFESSOR PAXTON. 117 



Then, indeed, the spirit was willing, but the lips were ' 
powerless: but now, we trust, he is raising the glorious, 
new, and eternal song, — 'Unto him that loved us, and 
washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath 
made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; 
to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever ! Amen/ 
Till within two days of his death, our hopes and fears 
as to the issue alternately prevailed. At last, hope gave 
way: he gradually sank; the oppression of breathing 
increased; the eyes continued closed; and consciousness 
seemed gone; when, at last, the storm settled down into 
a calm, and, without a struggle or a groan, he fell asleep 
in Jesus. His latter end was thus, even more than 
usual, peace. He rests from his labours ; and, we trust, 
has received that crown of life which fadeth not away. 

" Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, Rev. and 
Dear Brother, Yours truly, 

George Stevenson." 

II. — FROM PROFESSOR PAXTOK. 

Rev. George Paxton, D. D., Professor of Divinity 
to the Associate Synod of Original Seceders; author 
of " Illustrations of the Holy Scriptures from the Geog- 
raphy, Natural History, and Customs and Manners of 
the East," &c, writes: — 

"Edinburgh, 27th Feb. 1833. 

"Rev. Dear Brother: — You will long ere now be 
putting me down as a very forgetful friend; and I must 
confess that appearances are all against me. But ap- 
pearances are not the same as realities, and so it is here. 
Since you left us I have been at the grave's mouth, by 
a flow of blood to the head; which disabled me for any 
kind of exertion, and more especially for writing. It 
is now twelve months since it seized me, and it is not 
quite removed, though greatly better. I am now preach- 
ing again, and all the Sabbath: only I am reduced to 
English measure instead of Scotch ! I am still very bad 
at writing as you will see, but I cannot let the Rev. 
Mr. Goodwiliie leave this country without sending a 
letter by him. As it is the first, so in all probability 
it may be the last, for I am very weakly. 



118 



APPENDIX. 



"We rejoice you had a safe voyage, and that you 
managed so well in pushing your way into the Ameri- 
can church. It gives me great satisfaction that you 
exerted yourself so manfully for the truth and the right 
in their Synod, and that your efforts w T ere, by God^s 
blessing, crowned with so much success. I hope you 
will set your face like a flint for the Covenanted cause, 
and refuse to be ashamed. You have begun well : con- 
tinue in well-doing, till you get the crown. I hope 
the great Head of the Church, since he has put you into 
the ministry, will bless you and make you a blessing 
to all around you. 

" We are fighting away here after the old fashion. 
The Established Church and the United Secession and 
other Dissenting bodies are trying to pull down one 
another, and great is the uproar and bitter the strife. 
Agreeably to our principles, our Church, the Camer- 
onians, and the Old-Light Burghers are contending for 
repairing the Auld Kirk and keeping her up. I think 
we shall beat them. The Church people are loudly 
demanding the repeal of the law of Patronage, and I 
hope they will succeed in their endeavours. Pamphlets 
on both sides are flying about us as thick as hail. 

" Your former acquaintances are all well, and glad 
to hear of your prosperity. In writing this small letter 
I have been compelled to take several rests; I must 
therefore draw to a conclusion. Remember me in your 
prayers : I need them much ; for I am just about done. 
Mrs. Paxton joins me in kind regards to you. Write 
me at your leisure. I shall like to hear from you, 
though I may not be able to answer. — I am, Rev. and 
Dear Brother, Yours very sincerely, 

George Paxton." 

The last letter I received from him was dated June 
5th, 1835; in which he wrote: — "I am alive yet and 
that is all; exceedingly feeble and useless. The tend- 
ency of blood to the head still goes on, and requires 
cupping every two months or so, ten ounces at a time; 
and it is more than probable you will soon hear of my 
death. Pray for me, dear Sir, that the change may be 
glorious." This was the last I ever heard from my 



LETTERS FROM REV. DR. MC CRIE. 119 

warm-hearted and unflinching friend, who took such a 
deep interest in me from the first time we became ac- 
quainted. Shortly after writing the above letter he fell 
asleep in Jesus and entered into his rest. Few such 
burning and shining lights have appeared in the Se- 
cession Church. 

"Sure the last end 

Of the good man is peace: How calm his exit! 
Night dews fall not more gently on the ground, 
Nor weary worn-out winds expire so soft." 



III. — FROM REV. DR. MC CRIE. 

The following letters are from the Rev. Thomas 
McCrie, D. D., author of " the Lives of Knox and Mel- 
ville," &c. &c. 

I may premise, that in them and in the other letters, 
there is a reference to the meeting of Synod held in 
Philadelphia in May 1832, when it was finally decided 
to approve of the Testimony of the Original Seceders 
in Scotland, and recognize them as a sister church. At 
that as well as other meetings no small amount of pre- 
judice and bitterness against the measure was manifested, 
principally by those very men who were born in Scot- 
] and and educated in and licensed by the Secession 
church, and who were afterwards sent out to this country 
as her missionaries. Though I was not then a member 
of the Court and therefore had no right to speak, per- 
mission was given me to deliver my sentiments, in order 
to give correct information on certain points about 
which there appeared to be a difference of opinion. 
This I did to the utmost of my ability: with which 
the friends of the Original Seceders expressed them- 
selves highly pleased. I wrote Dr. McCrie and Pro- 
fessor Paxton what was said against them by those who 
seemed to be strongly under the influence of prejudice; 
and that among other mis-statements which they made 
were the following, viz: That there was no use of try- 
ing to approve of the Original Seceders, for it was well 
known that they were preparing to unite with the 



120 



APPENDIX. 



Covenanters; and, as a proof of this, they had design- 
edly kept out of their Testimony the views held by the 
Secession church from her commencement respecting 
Common benefits, as not being among the things pur- 
chased by the death of Christ. The reader will see, 
with interest, what that master in Israel, Dr. McCrie, 
said on these points. His sentiments are well worthy 
of being preserved, for the benefit of some future his- 
torian who may write a history of the rise and progress 
of the Secession church in this country — which is still 
a desideratum. 

" Edinburgh, 7th August 1832. 
"Rev. and Dear Brother: — I have had the pleasure 
of perusing your late letter to Mr. Stevenson, in which, 
inter alia, you express a more than ordinary desire to 
possess a copy of 'True Patriotism/ by Mr. Bruce. 
Wishing to gratify you in this, I have procured a copy, 
which I now send. This is the immediate cause of my 
writing at present. With all your friends here I re- 
joiced in the kindness of Providence in carrying you 
safe across the great waters, securing you a favourable 
reception, and providing you so soon with a situation 
in which you have so good a prospect of comfort and 
usefulness. 

"As an individual, I rejoice with a special joy in the 
exertions you have made to spread the knowledge of 
Reformation principles, and to remove prejudices and 
reproaches against it and its friends. In this respect 
you have answered to the full all the hopes I had 
formed of you; for, though you used to say you would 
be prudent and quiet, I knew your Scottish Presby- 
terian spirit would be 'stirred within you' when you 
heard the jeers and mis-representations with which it 
was attempted to run down the good cause, and to make 
even its friends ashamed of it. I desire, with you, to 
be thankful to Him who prepares both the way and 
the heart of man, and whose is also 'the answer of the 
tongue/ for sending you so opportunely to your pres- 
ent abode, and making you instrumental in bringing 
our brethren to so desirable a conclusion as that to 
which they have come, at their last meeting of Synod 



LETTERS FROM KEY. DR. MC CRIE. 



121 



in Philadelphia. You can easily conceive that I read 
your account to Mr. Paxton with feelings of deeper in- 
terest in some respects, than any of ruy brethren. I 
trust you shall have your reward in the best way, and 
in that which shall be most to your heart's content — 
increasing usefulness as a preacher of the everlasting 
gospel ; and in the spiritual prosperity of the flock over 
which you are by this time set as a Pastor. — The names 
of the brethren who stood forward in defense of the 
principles of the church of Scotland and the Secession, 
as given by you, are dear to me on that account. Par- 
ticularly, I feel gratified that those of Professor Ramsey 
and Mr. Beveridge (the son, I suppose, of the late Mr. 
Beveridge of Cambridge) were among the number. 

"The family are all well, and often speak of you; so 
are, and so do, all your acquaintances in this place. 
And now I must have done, with saying, that it will 
give me great pleasure to hear from you. If there arc 
any of my writings which you have a desire to possess, 
let me kpow it. Mrs. Mc Crie desires to be kindly re- 
membered to you ; also Messrs. Shaw and Murray, who 
are with me. — I remain, My dear sir, Yours sincerely, 

Thomas Mc Crie." 

"Edinburgh, April 1st 1833. 
" Rev. and Dear Brother : — Your favour of February 
18th arrived on Saturday, and was a welcome guest. 
It took, however, half an hour from my Sabbath prepa- 
ration, as I could not resist the temptation of perusing 
it at the moment. It gives me great pleasure to hear 
that you are so comfortably settled, that your health 
continues good, and that your spirits are if any thing 
better than ever. Long may they continue so! You 
must not be too severe in your construction of the 
silence of your friends on this side of the waters. Mind 
the distance, and the dangers by the way. You were 
nearly engulfed yourself; and many a Packet, if not 
sunk by lead affixed to it, has been torn in pieces by 
the waves. For example, I wrote you in the beginning 
of August last along with a copy of (what you seem 
as eager for as Esau was for the blessing) c Curse ye 

ii 



122 



APPENDIX. 



Meroz,' and you had not received it at the date of 
your letter. Again, Mr. William Whytock wrote you 
some time after, with a copy of the Review of Ornie, 
and this also had not reached you; yet the feelings you 
express are very natural, and none who considers your 
situation, and the kindness of your heart, will be either 
surprised or offended at the way in which you write. 
There are some people who, like a certain class of ani- 
mals, are formed for burrowing in the earth ; and it 
matters not to them, if they have wherewith to cover 
and feed them, whether others recollect them or not; 
or whether their former acquaintance are breathing, or 
sleeping under the clod. There are others w T ho have 
hearts, but then they are too sensitive; and they either 
feel dispirited under neglect, or they wax wroth, and 
talk of revenge. But enough of this. 

"You have not mentioned the time at which your 
Synod meets, and I am afraid a letter sent from our 
Synod (which is to meet on May 14th,) may be too late. 
As you are anxious to hear from us on a certain point 
(and I think your anxiety is not without reason,) I 
judge it better to answer your letter without delay. I 
know no other reason for the omission of an express 
condemnation, in our Testimony, of the doctrine of 
Christ's purchasing common benefits (as they are called), 
but that we did not think it was a prevailing error, 
and that we thought the Cameronians had dropped 
or become cool on that peculiarity. Perhaps we were 
mistaken as to the fact. 

"My sentiments as to 'Common benefits' are the 
very same with those stated in 'Gib's Display,' and in 
the American Testimony • and I have every reason to 
believe that those of all my brethren are the very same. 
It is a point that never was called in question among 
us, and about which we never felt any difficulty, and 
never perceived the slightest jarring of sentiment or 
shade of difference among us. I have heard, indeed, 
some good, honest private Christians among the Anti- 
burghers, from my earlieat years, occasionally, in asking 
a blessing , beg [on the ground of] 'a covenant right 
to these mercies/ I dare say they used it very inno- 



LETTERS FROM HEY. DR. MC CRIE. 



123 



cently, but it is a phrase I never employed. As to 
the Cameron ians" (Covenanters), "I am less acquainted 
with them than any other religious denomination in 
Scotland ; I mean personally. I have always been dis- 
posed to think, that they contain a reasonable number 
of serious, good living people, attached to Presbytery, 
and zealous for the Reformation, according to their 
views. I speak of what they toere, rather than of what 
they are. But as to Cameronianism itself, my decided 
opinion is, and always has been, that it is a caricature 
of Reformation principles; that it is at variance with 
the plainest and most explicit declarations of the word 
of God ; and that it necessarily, almost, involves its pro- 
fessions [professors?] in glaring inconsistencies. 

"I think that those who know that Mr. Turnbull 
(formerly of Ayton) was a zealous member of our body, 
even though they never saw or heard of Mr. Bruce's 
Tract on the subject — 'The Difference between those 
calling themselves Old Dissenters and other Presby- 
terians, on the head of Magistracy^ — might be ashamed 
of expressing a suspicion of our sentiments on this head, 
or of reviving a charge which was recklessly advanced 
in this country at a moment [of] excitation, but never 
since repeated, nor, as far as I know, believed by a 
single individual here. But much allowance must be 
made for the difficulty which brethren in America feel 
in obtaining correct information, and their liability to 
be imposed on by partial reports. 

"1 am giad you are on good terms with Mr. Laing. 
He is capable of being of great use to you. Few men, 
according to all that I know and have been told, are 
better acquainted with the gospel. I recollect well the 
interest with which I used to hear him when I was a 
boy, though I was capable of reaping little benefit, 
having been removed from his ministry when I became 
a student. Give my best respects to him, and let him 
know that his son is doing well at Colmonell, [in Ayr- 
shire]. The churches of England and Ireland are in a 
tottering state; and that of Scotland is not free of all 
danger. A considerable number of ministers and mem- 
bers of the latter are making attempts at reform, par- 



124 



APPENDIX, 



ticularly by getting rid of Patronage; but the greater 
part, including orthodox ministers, will content them- 
selves with propping up the edifice, and giving its wall 
a little white-washing. "We live in uncommon times; 
and who can say what will be the end of these wonders? 
— I must now have done. Mrs. Mc Crie and the family 
join with me in cordial salutations; and with every 
good wish, I am, Rev. and Dear Brother, Yours affec- 
tionately, 

Thomas Mc Crie." 

About two years after writing the above, this emi- 
nent servant of Christ was called awav from his labours 
in behalf of the cause of truth to his rest above, in the 
63rd, year of his age and the fortieth of his ministry. 
His earthly remains were followed by a procession 
amounting, it was said, to nearly 1500 persons, inclu- 
ding the Magistrates of the City of Edinburgh, and 
the Clergymen of all Denominations, to the Greyfriars 
Church-yard, there to mingle with the dust of thou- 
sands of those who suffered for the Word of God and 
the testimony of Jesus Christ, during the cruel Popish 
and Prelatic persecutions. For an interesting and full 
and particular account of this remarkable man, and of 
his writings and times, the reader is referred to his life, 
written by his son, Rev. Thomas Mc Crie, D. D. the 
younger, and published by Mr. William S. Young, 
Philadelphia. 



II. 

A BRIEF SKETCH OF REV. ANDREW ARNOT, one of the 

first Missionaries of the Associate church of Scot- 
land to this country. 

Having in my "Autobiography and Reminiscences^ 
made mention of having often preached in Mr. Arnot's 
pulpit at Midholm, Scotland, and become acquainted 



SKETCH OF REV. ANDREW ARNOT. 



125 



with several of his relatives, I have thought that a brief 
sketch of that proto-Missionary of the Associate church 
might not be unworthy of being put on record. 

Mr. Arnot was born in 1722, in the Parish of Port- 
moak, Kinross-shire, Scotland, and brought up under 
the ministry of Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, one of the 
principal leaders in the formation of the Secession 
church. -His father died when he was young, leaving 
a widow with two sons and a daughter. Andrew, being 
the eldest, was hired out to work and to depend on his 
own resources for a living. It was soon discovered by 
those who became acquainted with him,~that he poss- 
essed, for one of his age, an uncommon degree of de- 
cision of character and determination of purpose, and 
capacity for acquiring and seeking after knowledge. 
Mr. Erskine and others took a deep interest in him, 
and encouraged him to prosecute his studies with a 
view to the ministry, and they raised money from time 
to time to defray his expenses, both at School and Col- 
lege. Having gone through a regular classical and 
theological course of studies, he was taken on trial and 
licensed by the Presbytery of Kinross; and when about 
thirty years of age he accepted a call from the Associate 
congregation of Midholm, and w;as regularly ordained 
and installed in 1752. He had been settled for only 
two years, when Synod appointed him and Rev. Alex- 
ander Gellatly (Mr. G. having been previously ordained 
for that end) to go as Missionaries to America. Several 
very urgent petitions had been sent to the Synod at 
different times, by those belonging to the Associate 
church who had emigrated to Lancaster and Chester 
counties, Pennsylvania, beseeching them to send two 
or more missionaries to break among them the bread 
of life, and afford them the opportunity of having their 
children brought up in the fear of God, and taught to 
sing the same Songs of Zion in a foreign land which 
they and their fathers had been accustomed to do in 
their native land. None of the young men seemed 
willing to undertake such a long and dangerous voyage, 
and to endure the privations and hardships incident to 
a new country: therefore these petitfons lay on the 
11* 



126 



APPENDIX. 



table of Synod year after year unanswered. At one of 
the meetings of the Synod, in Edinburgh, when those 
petitions were read^ and methods were proposed and 
discussed how they could comply with them, Mr. Arnot 
advocated the cause of the petitioners with consider- 
able warmth of feeling, and insisted that assistance 
should be immediately sent to them; and, in no very 
measured terms, in his accustomed blunt manner, de- 
nounced the young men who were licensed, for their 
timidity, and want of zeal in promoting their Master's 
interest, and of earnest concern for the salvation of sin- 
ners. One of the members who seemed to think Mr. 
Arnot had been too severe in his censures on the young 
men, rose and apologized for them, and then appealed 
to him whether, if he were in their situation, he thought 
he would be willing to leave his native land and all 
that was near and dear to him, and r-un the risk of 
crossing the Atlantic, and sojourn among strangers in 
a foreign land. Mr. Arnot rose and in a decided man- 
ner replied, that had it not been that he had the charge 
of a large congregation, he would have gone to that 
distant land " to the help of the Lord against the mighty" 
without the least reluctance; and that even now he was 
willing to go for a limited time, providing Synod would 
engage to supply his pulpit regularly during his absence, 
■and me that the sick be visited and catechizing attend- 
ed to. 

They cheerfully accepted his offer; and he, along 
with one of his elders (a blacksmith by trade) and Mr. 
Gellatly soon took their departure, and, after a some- 
what tedious voyage,, landed safe, and found their way 
to their place of destination; where they were gladly 
r&ceived, as messengers sent over by God to their help 
in aitswer to their prayers. Shortly after commencing 
their labours in that important field, they, according 
to instructions given by Synod,, constituted themselves 
into a Presbytery, and assumed the name of "The As- 
sociate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, subordinate to the 
Synod of Edinburgh." These two were the first min- 
isters, and this was the first Presbytery constituted in 
£bis country in connection with the Secession church; 



SKETCH OF BEY. ANDREW ATtXOT. 



127 



and which afterwards gave rise to the late Associate 
and Associate Reformed Synods, which united in 1858, 
and now form, "The United Presbyterian church of 
North America." 

The most virulent opponents our missionaries met 
with were the Presbyterians, who did every thing in 
their power, both from pulpit and press, to prevent 
their success; and the Presbytery of Newcastle even 
went the length of publishing a Warning to their people 
to be on their guard against their dangerous doctrine 
and schismatic measures. This was ably answered in 
a large Pamphlet, principally written by Mr. Arnot, 
in which he and his brethren vindicated their princi- 
ples in a masterly manner from the false charges brought 
against them; and showed that as they never had been 
in connection with the Presbyterians in this country, 
they could never be justly charged with separating from 
them. 

Mr. Arnot, after remaining two years, during which 
he laboured hard, returned to Scotland, along with 
his elder, and left Mr. Gellatly; who was shortly after 
joined by Revs. James Proudfit, Matthew Henderson, 
and John Mason, who were sent out also by the Synod. 
Mr. Arnot was of great service in inducing ministers 
and others to emigrate to this country. He died on 
May 18th, 1803, in his 81st year, after having been 
fifty one years in Midholm. He left two sons and a 
daughter. His eldest son, Andrew, inherited his fa- 
ther's farm; and his younger son came to this country, 
and lived and died in York, Pennsylvania. He was 
a physician. Mr. A. left several bound volumes of 
Manuscript Sermons carefully and closely written, with- 
out any erasures or interlineations; and when I read 
some of them in 1829, in the very apartment in which 
they were written, even then they were remarkably 
distinct. They manifested that he took great pains in 
preparing for the pulpit, and did not serve the Lord 
with that which cost him nought. 

His sermons were doctrinal, clear, and comprehen- 
sive; and their applications long, pointed, practical, 
and solemn : showing a metaphysical turn of mind, and 



128 



APPENDIX. 



an originality of thinking. He was an able, conscien- 
tious, and faithful minister of the gospel; not shunning 
to declare the whole counsel of God; seeking not his 
own but the honour of his Master. In the early period 
of his ministry, the Secession church was blessed with 
many fearless and faithful watchmen placed on her 
walls. Then, she " looked forth as the morning, fair 
as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible to her ene- 
mies as an army with banners." The Meeting-house 
at Midholm, though large and located in a retired out- 
of-the-way place, was filled in every corner, numbers 
coming from a great distance, passing by Parish churches 
where the shepherds loved to slumber, and looked more 
after the fleece than the flock, in order that they might 
hear the pure gospel preached by one who was no hire- 
ling, and who bore his testimony against the yoke of Pat- 
ronage and the errors of doctrine, thelaxity of discipline, 
and other evils that prevailed in the "Auld Kirk." 

The minds of these people who professed adherence 
to the Secession cause were well-informed, and gener- 
ally they were able to give reasons for their separation 
from others; and they were influenced by their love to 
the truth, a regard for the peace and prosperity of Zion, 
and a desire to hand down unimpaired to posterity the 
true principles of the .Reformed church of Scotland. 
On Sacramental occasions they had great Gatherings; 
great times of preaching, praying, and of stirring up 
one another to love and good works. Mr. Arnot would 
often have two or three ministers assisting him. Thurs- 
day was observed as a Past-day, during which, two 
long, suitable sermons were preached; on Saturday 
there was preaching, when young communicants were 
received and addresses delivered to them in public; and 
then tokens were distributed to the congregation. On 
the Sabbath the action sermon was preached in the 
Meeting-house, and the tables served (which sometimes 
was done out of doors), while sermons were preached 
from a tent erected on the green throughout the day, 
one minister succeeding another; and often would the 
sun have set and the stars have made their appearance 
before they began to disperse. And then the whole 



SKETCH OF REV. ANDREW AENOT. 129 



was concluded with the preaching on the Monday, which 
lasted until well on in the afternoon. Those were the 
days of genuine revivals, when one said to another, — 
"Come let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual 
covenant which shall not be forgotten V 3 

But it was not long after Mr. Arnot's departure, till 
discord, division, and separation took place among them, 
principally occasioned by the unministerial conduct of 
those Wo who succeeded him, and partly by the num- 
ber of families who emigrated to America, so that that 
formerly large congregation became reduced almost to 
a skeleton. For these forty years past, however, they 
have been under the charge of two able and diligent Pas- 
tors, and have been wonderfully increased and strength- 
ened. It is worthy of notice, that Midholm is the only 
congregation now south of Edinburgh that stands con- 
nected with the Original Seceders who display the Ban- 
ner of a Testimony in defense of principles witnessed 
for by the early fathers thereof; while all those large 
and numerous congregations north and south of the 
Tweed who were trained up under the ministry of such 
champions as Dalzel, Dr. Young, the two Morrisons, 
Hogg, Robertson and others, have swung from their 
original mooring, and floated down the stream of modern 
improvements, and are now found in communion with 
a church where hymn-singing, open-communion, and 
other practices, are judicially tolerated. "How are the 
mighty fallen !" 

Among the many interesting anecdotes respecting 
Mr. Arnot which could be produced, I shall only give 
the following one. As long as he was able, he took 
great pleasure in attending public ordinances, and list- 
ening to the young men who were sent on by Presby- 
tery to supply his pulpit. When he was pleased with 
the preacher and his preaching, after returning with his 
guest from church and when about to sit down to dinner, 
it was customary for him to say to his house-keeper, — 
"Bring in the siller (silver) spoons, Jannet:" but when 
he was not much taken with either the preacher or his 
performance, there was never a word said about " the 
siller spoons." 



SERMONS. 



133 



SERMON I, 

THE NATURE AND NECESSITY OF A TRUE EELIGIOUS 
BE VITAL. 

"Wilt thou not revive us~ again, that thy people may rejoice 
in thee?' 7 — psalm lxxxv. 6. 

It is generally supposed that this psalm was written 
after the Jews returned from Babylon. This was a 
remarkable external deliverance, and it is celebrated as 
such in the first three verses of the psalm. It was fol- 
lowed, "however, by great deadness and formality in 
religion among the captives who had returned. The 
"dry bones" were collected, u bene to its bone, flesh 
had come up upon them, and they were covered with 
skin; but there was no breath in them." This was 
matter of deep concern to the few who had the interest 
of Zion at heart, and deplored by them as a token of 
God's displeasure. Hence the prayer in the fifth verse, 
4 f Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? Wilt thou draw 
out thine anger to all generations?^ This prayer seems 
directly opposed to the acknowledgment made in the 
third verse. But the reference may be to different 
periods. At the time of the edict of Cyrus, there had 
been favourable tokens of the removal of GocFs dis- 
pleasure from them, and that acknowledgment may 
refer to that period. But afterwards a stop was put 
by the edict of his successor to the building of the tem- 
ple, and that was considered by the pious and discerning 
among them, as a new evidence of God ? s displeasure; 
a drawing out of his aii^er bevond the period expected : 



134 



SERMONS. 



fSERMON I. 



— " Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?" 
Or the description in the fourth and fifth verses may 
be viewed as having a respect more particularly to their 
spiritual condition. As we have already noticed, there 
was not any remarkable revival of religion among the 
Jews until Ezra's and Nehemiah's time. And, reader, 
remember, however prosperous a church may be as to 
numbers or wealth, if true practical godliness be in a 
low or declining state,- — if " the love of many" for their 
own salvation, or for the salvation of the heathen 
either at home or abroad, " waxes cold," — -that church 
lies under the tokens of God's displeasure. It is for a 
spiritual revival that she here prays. This prayer sup- 
poses that the present state of the church was one of 
great deadness • and this only could be removed by God 
himself. Also that those among them who were " trem- 
bling for the ark of God" felt a struggle between hope 
and despair, as to her future revival ; but still they 
were determined to bring the matter to God by prayer. 
In all our doubts and fears about the present or future 
state of the peace, the unity, or the safety of th^ church', 
let us come to a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering 
God. The words under consideration are a suitable 
prayer for the Associate Church in her present circum- 
stances; notwithstanding the movement which is taking 
place among the "dry bones" with a view to come 
together, it is a period of great deadness, I fear, in 
general, as to the life and power of godliness. W e need 
a time of refreshing, and we should come to God for it, 
saying, "Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people 
may rejoice in thee?" Reader, were this prayer an- 
swered, then we would see a union now taking place 
among the friends of the reformation, which would 
cause " Zion to put on her beautiful garments, look forth 
as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and 
terrible as an army with banners." Put Him in re- 
membrance of his promise respecting his own cause. 

For the better understanding these words, and assist- 
ing you in your meditation, we propose, 

I. To bring forward evidences of spiritual deadness 
in the church. • 



PSALM LXXXY. 6.] 



SERMONS. 



135 



II. To illustrate the revival prayed for. 

III. To notice the spirit of the prayer itself. 

I. Evidences of spiritual deadness in the church: — 
1. This deadness in the soul and in the church is 
characterized by a falling from first love and zeal. — As 
coldness is the symptom of natural death, so the want 
of spiritual fervour is an evidence of spiritual death. 
The morning of conversion is characterized by warmth 
of affection for a God in Christ, and zeal for his declar- 
ative glory and for the good of his people. Then the 
things of the spiritual world appear to the mind in a 
very striking and convincing light ; besides, the soul 
is alive to the greatness of the deliverance, by the great- 
ness of the change which has taken place — Hence we 
read of "The kindness of youth and the love of espou- 
sals.^ But, alas! even in the case of God's own people, 
this warmth of affection often greatly subsides. The 
cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches on 
the one hand, and the privations and temptations at-* 
tendant on them on the other, often in a great degree 
quench that zeal which grace had kindled ; so that they 
no longer feel that melting of heart, that warmth of 
affection, and that zeal for the Redeemer's glory they 
once experienced — Thus, they are said to have "left 
their first love." The same takes place in regard to 
churches: churches that are newly formed are usually 
remarkable for their zeal and love; but this seldom 
outlives the generation in which it commenced. The 
young generation which came out of Egypt were re- 
markable for their love to God and zeal for his honour ; 
but this fervour of spirit continued only for one gener- 
ation. "They served the Lord all the days of Joshua 
and of the elders that outlived him," and after that, there 
arose another generation who knew not the Lord, nor 
what he had done for Israel. The captives who re- 
turned from Babylon had some zeal for God, but this 
had begun to fall away, and it was the observation of 
this growing deadness that caused the pious and dis- 
cerning among them to present their prayers to God, 
which we are endeavouring to explain. We find also 
that even the primitive Christians did not long retain 



136 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON I. 



their first zeal, love, and purity — Hence the charge 
brought against the church of Ephesus, Rev. ii. 4, 5; — 
"Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because 
thou hast left thy first love : remember therefore from 
whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first 
works/' &c. And we may add, the history of the church- 
es of the Reformation, both in this and other countries, 
proves that they have greatly degenerated; and unless 
the Lord interpose in their behalf and send a time of re- 
freshing from his presence, in a few years their spirit- 
ual death and consequent danger will be more evident. 
Let us say; — "Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy 
people may rejoice in thee? — Arise, O Lord, and plead 
the cause that is thine own. — In the midst of the years 
make known, and in wrath remember mercy." 

2. This deadness is characterized by the want of a 
relish for the pure word of God and scriptural ordi- 
nances. — When death is approaching, "desire fails." 
It is not an easy matter to prepare or serve up food 
for a vitiated or decayed appetite. In like manner, 
when spiritual desire fails, the pure word of God dis- 
pensed in its native simplicity is no longer relished. 
All the powers of eloquence and the inventions of man's 
wisdom must be brought in to collect and retain an 
audience. ]N o thing but smooth things which are easily 
swallowed and digested, will please and satisfy : some- 
thing new is the cry ! Among those who attend public 
ordinances, how few go to the house of God from a true 
desire to put honour upon his name ; to have their souls 
edified, and to "hear what God the. Lord will speak?" 
The greater part go either from habit, to see and be 
seen; or from novelty, to hear some new thing. Com- 
paratively few "thirst for God, the living God, and 
long to appear before him, to see his power and his 
glory as he lias been seen in the sanctuary." Only one 
here and one there "as new-born babes desire the sin- 
cere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby." 
We should pray for those times of revival to his church, 
"when incense and a pure offering shall be presented 
unto the Lord," and when those who are "right-heart- 
ed" men shall follow 7 after Him and say, "Come, let us 



PSALM LXXXV. 6.] SERMONS. 



137 



join ourselves unto the Lord in a perpetual covenant 
which shall not be forgotten." 

3. Deadness in soul, and in the church, is known 
.by spiritual insensibility. — "Gray hairs are here and 
there, and they know it not." The decline of nature 
is distinguished by the weakness of the senses, and when 
death does his work the senses are shut up. Spiritual 
declension is also characterized by spiritual insensibility. 
This seems te be a prevailing evil in our time, notwith- 
standing all that is doing for the cause of Christ, both 
at home and abroad. Even among those who retain 
the form of godliness, there is a great w r ant of its power. 
The greater part sit under the dispensation of the law 
without being aroused to a sense of their sin and danger. 
They imagine "'they shall have peace, though walking 
in the way of their own heart." Nor are they affected 
by the alluring sound of the gospel. They are "like 
the adder that stops her ear, and will not hear the voice 
of the charmer, though charming never so wisely." 
Among; those who have been brought under serious 
impressions, how many soon lose them, like those who 
received seed arriong thorns; they hear the word, and 
the cares of this world and the deceitf illness of riches 
choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Insensi- 
bility usually attends a physical consumption; and it 
is notoriously the case with those who are under spirit- 
ual decline. "The fire burns them, and they know it 
not; the rod smites them, and they feel it not." This 
characterizes the present generation. What need have 
we to pray, "Turn us again, Lord God of hosts, cause 
the light of thy countenance to shine upon us, and we 
shall be safe! — Wilt thou not revive us again? — Give 
him no rest until he arise and make Zion a praise in 
the earth." 

4. Unfruitfulness under the means of grace is another 
evidence of our deadness. — When the decline of nature 
comes on, it is marked by inactivity; and a spiritual 
decay is known by the want of activity for God. How 
few are either "zealous for the truth upon the earth," 
or labour to be "'filled with the fruits of righteousness," 
or make it their study to "adorn the doctrine of God 

12* 



138 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON I. 



their Saviour in all things?" A decay of nature "wastes 
the beauty" of man; and a spiritual decay wastes the 
beauty of the soul and the church. When "the rod of 
God's strength is sent out of Zion," and conversions 
take place in the church, her sons appear "in the beauty 
of holiness as the dew from the womb of the morning;" 
but when holiness decreases, religion must be greatly 
on the decline. That this is the case in our day is too 
evident from the want of charity and brotherly love, 
one for another, which ought to distinguish the follow- 
ers of Christ; from the apostacies which take place, even 
by those who have been solemnly bound to abide by 
the cause of truth, and publicly declared that their 
tongue should cleave to the roof of their mouth, if ever 
they should forget or forsake the cause of Zion ; as well 
as from the gross falls of some, and the utter indifference 
of others about the things which belong to their ever- 
lasting peace. Oh that He would "send help from 
above out of His sanctuary!" then shall His people 
"grow up as among the grass, and as willows by the 
water-courses: and our Zion be as a field which the 
Lord has blessed." 

5. The great divisions in heart and profession among 
those who are the followers of Christ, is another mark 
of spiritual deadness. — Natural death divides the near- 
est relations. It separates not only the soul from the 
body, but also the different parts of the body from each 
other. In like manner has spiritual decay a dividing 
tendency. It divides the -best of friends and the near- 
est relations, and causes them to look down upon each 
other with hatred, jealousy, and contempt, so that they 
fall out by the way and cannot speak peaceably one to 
another. Divisions have often been found necessary 
for the maintenance of the truth, and have thus been 
overruled by the Head of the church for good. Had 
it not been for separation from corrupt communions, 
we had all been sunk in Antichristian idolatry and 
superstition; and had it not been for separation from 
churches called reformed, the truth had not been re- 
tained among Protestants. But the necessity of separ- 
ation supposes that the body from which we separate 



PSALM LIXXY. 6.] 



SERMONS. 



139 



is in a state of spiritual declension. In such a divided 
state of religious society as exists at present, all parties 
may in some respects be wrong, but all cannot be right; 
so that the very existence of divisions shows the need 
we have of spiritual revival, by whose benign influence 
the mist of prejudice may be scattered, the spirit of 
party removed, the partition walls of man's erecting 
by which brother was separated from brother may fall 
down, so that those who have long unnecessarily been 
kept from each other may join heart and hand, in the 
Redeemer's work. It must be confessed that it is a 
very difficult undertaking to heal the divisions of Zion, 
especially those which have been of long standing. It 
is not easy to erect a platform on which those may meet 
in friendship who were formerly in enmity ; neither is 
every individual, however able he may think himself, 
competent to take the lead in forming such negotiations. 
He must be one who has a supreme regard to truth and 
the authority of God; he must not be a man of war 
from his youth, but a peacemaker; one who loves the 
truth and the peace; in possession of "the wisdom that 
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be en- 
treated/' — throwing himself open to conviction and 
manifesting a disposition to give and receive explana- 
tions, as well as evidencing a becoming deference to the 
difficulties and scruples which his brethren may have 
upon certain points. Were such men as these taking 
an -active hand in the work, we would, under the bless- 
ing of God, soon see the breaches of Zion healed. But 
this is not to be done by human might nor power, but 
by the Spirit of God. Let us pray then, reader, that 
"He would revive us again, and gather the outcasts of 
Israel into one," by causing "the watchmen that are 
upon Zion's walls to see eye to eye, to lift up the voice 
and sing together then shall we see the friends of 
Christ flying as doves to their windows, and as sheep 
before the gathering storm. "Hardhearted must he be 
who can look unmoved upon the wounds of the church, 
(said Dr. Me Crie) or pass by, like the priest and Levite 
in the parable, without feeling disposed to provide, and 
pour in the healing oil and balm. It would be strange 



140 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON I. 



and unnatural indeed, if any son of Zion should rejoice 
in her trouble, and take pleasure in beholding perpetual 
strife and violence in the city of God, instead of seeing 
it a peaceable habitation. If a true Christian is un- 
avoidably placed in a scene of confusion, he will sigh 
and pray for deliverance from it; and if conscience and 
the duty which he owes to God require him to say or 
do what may prove the occasion of disturbance, or of 
alienating him from the affections of his brethren, he 
will sympathize deeply with the plaintive prophet, when 
he feelingly exclaims, 'Woe is me, my mother, that thou 
hast borne me a man of strife, and a man of contention 
to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor 
men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them 
doth curse me/ " 

II. T lie revival prayed for, illustrated:— 
1. This is God's own work. — He only can begin a 
gracious work in the soul, and he only can revive it 
when brought low by the strength of remaining cor- 
ruption, and the influence of temptation. And as it is 
God who gathers a people into a church state, and gives 
them ecclesiastical existence, so He only can revive his 
work and interest when it is low in the church. This 
is a work which cannot be accomplished by human 
wisdom, human policy, power, or riches; but by God's 
Spirit. It belongs to him alone to select, qualify, and 
prosper those instruments and means that he will bless, 
and very often the most unlikely are made use of to 
show his wisdom and his power in " choosing the weak 
things to confound the strong, and the foolish to con- 
demn the wise." Let us then, reader, not look to the 
wisdom, love, zeal, or piety, of any creature upon earth 
for beginning a revival among the dry bones; for if 
we do, we may stand and look, and wonder and weep 
until the sun of our natural day set, without seeing any 
alteration taking place in the valley of vision; but 
rather let us pray in faith, and say, "Come from the 
four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, 
that they may live!" — "Arise, O Lord, thou and the 
ark of thy strength! — For meekness and for truth do 
Thou ride prosperously!" 



PSALM LXXXY. G.] SEKMONS. 



141 



2. As a means of preparing for this revival, God 
usually brings those who are to be the subjects of it 
into the furnace. — Conversion in the first instance is 
preceded by conviction, and that conviction is by the 
law, often accompanied with some heavy trial measured 
out in providence. Revival from declension is a new 
conversion, and must be preceded by a new awakening; 
and God usually in the case of individuals sanctifies 
some personal affliction, or domestic trial, for this pur- 
pose. — " Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now 
I keep thy laws." The same observations apply to the 
church. God has usually cast her into the furnace 
when abotit to revive his work in her. This w T as the 
case with his ancient people. The Babylonian captivity 
was made subservient to that revival which took place 
in the Jewish nation, to which the Psalmist refers in 
the beginning of the Psalm: and Zechariah, xiii. 8, 9; 
"And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith 
the Lord, two parts therein shall be cast off and die; 
but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring 
the third part through the fire, and will refine them 
as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: 
they shall call on my name, and I will hear them : I 
will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord 
is my God." 

The churches of Britain, and in many parts of the 
continent of Europe, have more than once been refined 
in the furnace of persecution. They have long enjoyed 
outward tranquillity, and the consequence is, they are 
settled on their lees, and have lost that love and zeal 
for God by which they were distinguished in former 
times. They have reason to fear the infliction of the 
threatening in Zephaniah i. 12: "And it shall come to 
pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with can- 
dles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees; 
that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, 
neither will he do evil." At any rate, it is believed, 
by many that before a true revival take place in the 
churches of the Reformation, w r e are to have awful scenes 
of judgments throughout Europe. Much blood remains 
to be purged, and it will be purged by blood; the blood 



142 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON I. 



of God's dear saints who have been slain for the testi- 
mony of Jesus, not only within, but without the city 
of the Antichristian state, Rev. xiv. 19, 20. — Then, 
reader, if "judgment must first begin at the house of 
God' what must be the end of them that obey not the 
gospel? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where 
shall the wicked and the ungodly appear?" Let us sigh 
and cry for all the abominations done in the midst of 
us, and betake ourselves for safety to Him who has the 
writer's ink-horn by his side, and who can give com- 
mandment to the destroying angel not to come nigh to 
hurt us. We may say, "Alas! O Lord God, what 
shall be the end of these wonders?" It is evident that 
you and I, along with the present generation, shall have 
to obey the command ere ever these scenes take place : 
"Go thy way until the end be; for thou shalt rest, and 
stand in thy lot at the end of the days." 

3. Such a revival in the soul of the believer and in 
the church in general, always takes place under the 
dispensation of God's word. — In regard to individuals, 
it is the means not only of their first conversion, but 
also of their spiritual restoration. "He sent his word 
and healed them." This is also the means of revival 
of religion in churches and nations. The great revival 
of religion that took place when the captives returned 
from hanging their harps upon the willows, was under 
a dispensation of prophecy, Ezek. xxxvii. 7: "So I 
prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied 
there was a voice, and behold a shaking, and the bones 
came together, bone to his bone." 

That revival which took place on the introduction 
of Christianity, was under a pure dispensation of the 
gospel. It was by the preaching of the doctrines of 
the cross in scriptural purity and simplicity, accom- 
panied by the power of God, that the pillars of Anti- 
christian darkness and despotism were shaken at the 
time of the glorious Reformation: — -and that revival 
which is to usher in the latter-day glory, "when all 
shall know the Lord from the least even to the great- 
est," is to be accomplished by the same means. Then, 
let us never esteem the preaching of the gospel fool- 



PSALM LXXXV. 6.] 



SERMOXS. 



143 



ishness, or dare to substitute any thing in its place, 
however pleasing or popular; but let us look upon it 
as the wisdom of God, and the power of God, for the 
salvation of guilty sinners. Let us use every means 
to preserve it in its purity in our own land, and em- 
brace every opportunity to send it to those lands that 
are full of the habitations of cruelty, and remain in the 
region and shadow of death. This alone can open the 
deaf ear to hear, cause the blind to see, and make the 
hard heart to feel and understand. Oh ! that the time 
would come when "the knowledge of the Lord shall 
cover the earth as the waters cover the sea F then " shall 
the desert and solitary places be glad, and bud and. 
blossom as the rose." Let us say, "Until the day break 
and the shadows flee away, make haste, our beloved, and 
be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains 
of Bether" (separation). 

4. The revival here prayed for is only effected by 
the Word, when accompanied by the Spirit — "'It is the 
Spirit that quickeneth." He revives by his natural 
influences the face of the earth, after the vegetable cre- 
ation has suffered a partial death. "He sends forth 
his Spirit, and they are created; he reneweth the face 
of the earth." And it is by his gracious influences that 
religion is revived in the soul and in the church. So 
long as Ezekiel prophesied only to the bones, they were 
not cjuickened. Bone indeed came to its bone, flesh 
came upon them, and they were covered with skin, but 
there was no breath in them. It was not till he prophe- 
sied unto the winds, that breath entered into them, and 
they lived and stood up a great army. It was not 
simply the preaching of the word, but the preaching of 
it accompanied with the demonstration of the Spirit 
and with power, which produced the revival under the 
ministry of the apostles. What the dew and rain are 
to the natural world, the Spirit is to the moral and the 
spiritual world. The outpouring of the Spirit is a time 
of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; this alone 
can heal the wounds which the church has received in 
the house of her friends, and restore the years which 
the caterpillar and the canker-worm have eaten ; and 



144 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON I. 



likewise cause the envy of Ephraiin to depart, and the 
adversaries of Judah to be cut off. May the Lord 
hasten the happy time in which " nothing shall be 
found to hurt or destroy in all his holy mountain; 
when her peace shall be as a river, and her righteous- 
ness as the waves of the sea !" 

5. Such revivals are the fruit of prayer. — It is true 
that God has promised to revive his own work, and to 
fill the house with his glory, when the time arrives 
which he has set to favour her; and we may rest satis- 
fied that not one word shall fail of all that He has spoken: 
yet he has said, "For these things I will be inquired 
of by the house of Israel, that I may do it for them." 
Accordingly, when about to revive his work, he pours 
out the Spirit of grace and supplication upon the rem- 
nant which are left, and in answer to their prayers he 
sends a plentiful rain, whereby his heritage is refreshed 
when weary. Thus, when Daniel and the other cap- 
tives understood that the time of their captivity was 
drawing to a close, they set themselves to address God 
in earnest prayer and supplication ; Daniel, ix. 17,18, 
19: "Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of 
thy servant and his supplications, and cause thy face 
to shine upon thy sanctuary, that is desolate, for the 
Lord's sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; 
open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the 
city which is called by thy name: for we do not present 
our supplications before thee for our own righteousness, 
but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, 
forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine 
own sake, O my God : for thy city and thy people which 
are called by thy name." Such prayers as these, pre- 
sented by "the faithful and peaceable in Israel," can- 
not fail to enter into the ears of the God of Sabaoth, 
and bring down blessings upon themselves, and the 
church with which they are connected. In the days 
of Malachi, when the great body of the people had 
"dealt treacherously" with God, and "robbed" him 
"in tithes and offerings," there were a few "that feared 
the Lord and spake often one to another; and the Lord 
hearkened, and heard, and a book of reniernbrance was 



PSALM LXXXY. 6.] 



SERMOXS. 



145 



written before him for them that feared the Lord, and 
thought upon his name." Their meditation about and 
their fears concerning the dark and threatening; cloud 
which then hung over the church, were followed, in 
answer to their prayers, by a blessed promise of light, 
healing, and protection: "But unto you that fear my 
name, shall the Son of righteousness arise with healing 
in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as 
calves in the stall." The outpouring of the Spirit at 
the day of Pentecost, took place at a prayer-meeting. 
But time would fail to mention how Peter was awoke, 
by a powerful and affectionate angel, when he was sound 
asleep between two soldiers bound with two chains; 
how the an^el of the Lord caused a li^ht to shine into 
the prison, raised him up, caused the chains to fall off 
his hands, the iron gates to open wide, and afforded 
him a passage into the street. All this was done be- 
cause we are told, "Prayer was made without ceasing 
of the church unto God for him." The deliverance of 
Paul and Silas was another instance of the efficacy of 
prayer. 

How much reason have we to lament the want of 
the spirit of prayer and supplication among professors 
in our day! All seem to mind their own things, and 
not the things of Jesus Christ. Where we have any 
doubt about the security, or justice of the lease, or title 
of our farms, how readily can we meet and converse 
one with another in any season of the year or in any 
hour of the day, how we may obtain "equal rights," — 
but when we are called to speak one with another about 
our title to the heavenly inheritance, or make our call- 
ing and election sure, we feel no inclination to attend; 
we wish to be excused. May the Lord " pour out upon 
us the Spirit of grace and supplication, that we may 
look upon him whom we have pierced, and mourn," &c. 

III. The spirit of the prayer itself: — 

1. It supposes a deep sense of the provocations which 
might dispose God to cast them off for ever. — The re- 
vivals formerly granted had been misim proved, for 
which the Lord was displeased, and hid his face from 
them. Sins committed after God has interposed in a 
13 



146 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON I. 



remarkable manner for individuals or for churches, are 
heinous sins, because committed against great light, 
love, and long-suifering; and therefore it is no wonder 
that those who are guilty of them dread final expulsion 
from God, or of being "given up to their own hearts' 
lusts, and to walk in their own counsels." 

2. The prayer implies a faint ray of ]?ope, arising 
from what the Lord had done. — Though their depart- 
ures from former attainments, after the Lord's kindness 
towards them, might inspire fear and dread when they 
considered their desert; yet the mercy and power dis- 
played in God's former gracious dealings with them 
left room for hope. These were acts of sovereign 
mercy, and the mercy of God was still the same. They 
were the effects of divine power, and they knew that 
" God's arm was not shortened that it could not save; 
neither was his ear heavy, that it could not hear." 

3. The prayer is also founded upon divine faithful- 
ness, and is to be viewed as a prayer of faith. — God 
has promised to "bring his people again from Bashan 
hill" — to "put forth his hand the second time to recover 
the remnant of his people which shall be left from Ass- 
yria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from 
Cush, and from Shinar, and from the isles of the sea," 
Isa. xi. 11. Now, this and similar promises laid a 
foundation for the plea of faith, — "Wilt thou not re- 
vive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee?" 

4. This also intimates that the church only expected 
the revival prayed for, as an act of divine sovereignty. — 
Hence we find the petition turns upon the will of God. 
Neither they nor their fathers had any merit to plead 
before him, on account of which they were entitled to 
his grace and mercy; for they knew they were unprofit- 
able and unworthy servants, and if He were to "mark 
their iniquities, they could not stand nor answer for 
one of a thousand." God "will have mercy upon whom 
he will have mercy." 

5. In conclusion we will say, let not those who are 
the true friends of Zion be discouraged. — Do not "de- 
spise the day of small things," and give way to despond- 
ency, as if greater and better days were never to arrive; 



PSALM LXXXV. 6.] SERMONS. 



147 



but rather double your diligence, and "strengthen that 
which remains, and may be ready to die." If the 
church is in a low state as to the life and power of re- 
ligion, and her love for the truth and the peace; if you 
are a man of prayer, " plead with your mother, plead;" 
cry also unto Him who is her counsellor, her refuge 
and her strength, that he would come and shine upon 
his sanctuary for the Lord's sake, and "make her a 
praise in the earth." Lift up your eyes, and behold 
the height of her towers, examine narrowly the number 
and beauty of her palaces, go round about and mark 
her bulwarks, that ye may tell posterity that "this 
God," who has planned her, defended her, and dwells 
in the midst of her, "'is our God and our guide even 
unto death." — The Lord is known in her palaces for 
a refuge ; the Lord will help her, and that right early. — 
This is the hill wdiere God desireth to dwell in, yea, 
the Lord will dwell in it for ever." 



148 



SERMON II. 

CHRIST DWELLING IN THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE. 
" That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." — eph. ill. 17. 

The Apostle informs the Ephesians that he had bowed 
his knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
"that he would grant unto them according to the riches 
of his grace to be strengthened with might by his Spirit 
in the inner man." This was the end which heTiad 
in view; and the words we are to consider, refer to the 
means by which this end was to be accomplished. It 
was by "Christ dwelling in their hearts by faith, and 
their being rooted and grounded in love." Faith is 
an assent to testimony. The faith here mentioned is 
an assent to the testimony of God in his word: "If we 
receive the witness of man, the witness of God is great- 
er." For the better understanding of the mind of the 
Spirit contained in these words, we shall make a few 
explanatory remarks to illustrate the position that — 
Christ dwells in the hearts of believers by faith. 

1. It is not his essential presence to which these icords 
refer. — Christ, in regard to his essential presence, is 
every where. He could say when on earth that he was 
also in heaven: "No man hath ascended up to heaven, 
but he who came down from heaven, even the Son of 
man, who is in heaven." In this respect he is present 
in heaven, in earth, and in hell: "Whither shall I go 
from thy Spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy pres- 
ence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If 
I make my bed in hell, thou art there." He is present 
in this respect in the hearts of the wicked, as well as 
in the hearts of the righteous — "Hell and destruction 
are naked before him; how much more the hearts of 



JEPH. III. 17.] 



SERMONS, 



149 



the children of men?" But he is in a special and pe- 
culiar manner in believers. 

2. It is not with respect to Christ's bodily presence that 
he dwells in the hearts of his people. — Christ, as to his 
human nature and the more glorious manifestations of 
his divinity, is in heaven: "And he shall send Jesus 
Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom 
the heavens must receive (retain) until the times of res- 
titution of all things, which God hath spoken of by 
the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world be- 
gan." Acts iii. 20, 21. In this sense Christ cannot 
be said to dwell on earth, or in the hearts of his people. 
No: his human nature, though united to his divine 
person, is finite, and consequently must be limited to 
one place. Considered with regard to his human na- 
ture, few that have believed in him as the Son of God 
have ever seen him. This was the privilege only of a 
few who lived during his personal ministry on earth, 
and perhaps of two after his ascension into heaven — 
"Whom, having not seen, ye love; in whom, though 
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy 
unspeakable and full of glory. — Therefore we are al- 
ways confident, knowing that whilst we are at home 
in the body, we are absent from the Lord." The im- 
mediate vision of Christ for the present is not a thing 
enjoyed, but only expected, by the saints on earth. 
They look, they pray, they wait for God's blessed Son 
from heaven, to raise up their mortal bodies and fashion 
them like unto his glorious body. 

3. Christ, as respects his gracious manifestations, is 
present in his church by means of his word and ordi- 
nances. — In this respect we need not say, " Who shall 
ascend to heaven, to bring him down? or who shall 
descend into the deep, to bring him up?" Every person 
who has the word preached to him has Christ brought 
near to him in the Word; Rom. x. 6 — 8. In the gos- 
pel he is revealed in all his offices, grace, and fulness. 
He is not only revealed, but he is also offered, to the 
chief of sinners for their acceptance. He is so in his 
righteousness — "Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted, 
that are far from righteousness : I bring near my right- 

13* 



150 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON II. 



eousness, it shall not be far off; and my salvation shall 
not tarry ." He is offered in his benefits, and these are 
summed up in eternal life, which is exhibited to every 
gospel hearer as the gift of God — "This is the record, 
that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in 
his Son." It is in the Word that faith apprehends its 
object, and improves it for all the purposes of salvation. 
Multitudes, nevertheless, who have Christ exhibited 
to them in the Word, continue strangers to all saving 
interest in him, and fellowship with him. He is brought 
near to them, and yet they continue strangers to him. 
Within reach of the great Physician, they perish under 
the disease of sin. In sight of heaven, they sink down 
to hell. 

4. Christ, as respects spiritual inhabitation, dwells in 
his people by his Spirit. — The Spirit takes up his abode 
in the hearts of his people in the day of effectual calling 
as " the Spirit of Christ;" as his intercessor within them. 
"Ye are not of the flesh, but of the Spirit if so be that 
the Spirit of Christ dwell in you. Now if any man 
have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." It 
is he who infuses a gracious principle of spiritual life 
into the effectually called, without which there is no 
deliverance from a state of sin and death. The very 
act itself of willing in their conversion, is of the Spirit's 
operation, and although they will, yet it is he who 
causes them to will, by u working in them both to will 
and to do of his good pleasure." Christ dwells in his 
people constantly by his Spirit, who is given to them 
to abide with them for ever — "I will pray the Father, 
and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may 
abide with you for ever ; even the Spirit of truth ; whom 
the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, 
neither knoweth him ; but ye know him ; for he dwell- 
eth with you, and shall be in you." John xiv. 16, 17; 
He is also in them as the source of spiritual life and 
happiness — " Whosoever drinketh of the water that I 
shall give him, it shall be in him a well of living water 
springing up into everlasting life." John iv. 14. 

5. Christ, in respect of spiritual realization, dwells in 
the hearts of his people. — As in nature, objects cannot 



EPH. III. 17.] 



SERMONS. 



151 



be realized in the mind, though applied to the body, 
unless apprehended by it through its sensible organs : 
so spiritual objects, as exhibited in the Word, cannot 
be realized in the mind but by faith. Our faith or 
unbelief cannot affect the existence of these objects in 
the abstract, but they only exist with respect to us in 
so far as they are believed by us. This applies in a 
certain sense to the object of testimony in general. 
Many things have existence in this world, which w T e 
never saw, but of whose existence we are as certain on 
the ground of testimony, as we are of the existence of 
those objects which fall immediately under the obser- 
vation of our senses; yet our knowledge of these arises 
not merely from the testimony itself, but from the 
credit we give to it. In like manner the objects of the 
divine testimony have only an existence or reality in 
our own minds according as it is believed by us. If 
we reject the testimony as false, we consider what is 
exhibited in it as false also. — Hence, faith is said to be 
the evidence of things not seen. It realizes those things 
as certain in the mind, which to the unbeliever, have 
no existence, no reality — "Now faith is the substance 
of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." 
The deluge was foretold to multitudes in the old world, 
as well as to Noah; but to them it was not a certain 
event until it became matter of sad experience, because 
the divine warning was not credited by them. To 
Noah it was a certain event, and an event, though future, 
which engaged the whole of his attention in making 
preparation for its coming: and it was so in virtue of 
. his faith, Heb. xi. 7. But faith does not only take up 
the certainty of absent objects and future events, it also 
realizes the benefit resulting from these. Hence it is 
said to be the substance of things not seen. It is by 
faith that the believer enters upon the begun participa- 
tion of all the grace of God's promises, as a foretaste 
and earnest of the full enjoyment of it in a future world. 
Christ, as we have already seen, is in the Word. It is 
there faith finds him and fixes upon him, and conducts 
him into the heart. 

6. Christ dwells in the hearts of his children by faith, 



152 



SERMONS, 



[SEEMON II. 



in the glory of his person as the Son of God. — It is by 
faith this glory is contemplated in the understanding, 
and realized in the heart of the Christian. During our 
Lord's abode upon earth multitudes saw him in the 
flesh, and were astonished at his miracles, as well as 
the disciples; but it was only those whose eyes were 
opened by his Spirit dwelling in them that recognised 
his supreme deity. The reason was, they only had this 
divine faith— " The Word was made flesh, and dwelt 
among us, and we beheld his glory, as the glory of the 
only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." 
This view of Christ was not attained by bodily vision, 
but by that faith which is the operation of God. Flesh 
and blood did not reveal it unto them, but their Father 
who is in heaven. It is owing to the want of faith that 
some consider Christ as only a super-angelic spirit, 
others as only a mere man, and it is for the same reason 
some look upon him as an impostor. The true believer 
has an assurance in his heart, that he is the Christ, the 
Son of the living God. 

7. Christ dwells in the hearts of his children by faith, 
in the benefits of his righteousness as a priest. — This right- 
eousness is unto all in the free offer of the gospel, with- 
out any exception. But none realize the saving benefit 
of this righteousness unless they who are in possession 
of true and saving faith. Faith realizes this righteous- 
ness as the ground of pardon and peace with God. It 
can have no influence in purifying or pacifying the 
conscience until it is believed in and applied. Though 
a prince grant a pardon to a criminal who is under the 
fearful apprehensions of a violent death, it cannot afford 
relief to his troubled soul, unless he hear of it. Though 
it be reported to him, his distress continues unless he 
believes the report and accepts of the free pardon as 
intended for, and suitable to him in particular. If he 
considers the report as false, instead of diminishing, it 
increases his sorrows. So in like manner in the case 
before us. God is, in the gospel report, declared to be 
a God of pardon, of peace, and of love; and it is re- 
vealed that Christ has made peace through the blood 
of his cross; yet until believed and applied, these truths 



EPII. III. 17.] 



SERMONS. 



153 



will neither awaken, nor purify, nor pacify the con- 
science. " Being justified by faith, we have peace with 
God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Without this 
faith, the blood of Christ can have no influence in puri- 
fying the heart from an evil conscience. A guilty con- 
science must always be an evil conscience; for guilt 
remaining there, produces hatred of God and of Christ; 
but his peace-making blood, improved by faith, produces 
love. " We love him because he first loved us." And 
love to Christ purifies the conscience. It makes our 
duty our delight. " The love of Christ constraineth us." 

8. It is by faith Christ dwells in the heart , in respect 
of the efficacy of his doctrine. — The doctrine of Christ 
as the prophet of the church has an enlivening, sancti- 
fying, and comforting influence. "It is the Spirit that 
quickeneth: the words that I speak unto you, they are 
spirit, and they are life." — "Sanctify them through thy 
truth: thy word is truth." — "This word of thine is 
my comfort in mine affliction." But it has these influ- 
ences only as believed by us. Unless it be mixed with 
faith, it will do us no good — Heb. iv. 1, 2. The splen- 
dour of the meridian sun is lost upon the blind man. 
Surrounded with light, he is in darkness. In like 
manner the unbeliever is in spiritual darkness, though 
living under the clearest light of the gospel; "The 
light shineth in darkness, and the darkness compre- 
hendeth it not." It is owing to the want of faith that 
the precious gospel, which is to believers the savour of 
life unto life, is to unbelievers the savour of death unto 
death; 2 Cor. ii. 16. Unbelief converts, the gospel, 
which is the ministry of righteousness for our justifica- 
tion, into the occasion of our greater condemnation; 
"This is the condemnation, that light has come into 
the world, and men have loved darkness rather than 
light, because their deeds are evil." 

9. It is by faith that Christ dwells in the heart, in re- 
spect of his influences as a king or law-giver. Believers 
are not without law to God, but are under law to Christ. 
But the law as a rule of righteousness in the hand of 
Christ, is purely of supernatural revelation, and appre- 
hended by faith. This is Christ's easy yoke, which 



154 



SERMONS, 



[sermon Hi 



none but believers do, or can, put on. "Take my yoke 
upon you, for it is easy, and my burden, for it is light, 
and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, 
and ye shall find rest to your souls. " Motives to 
obedience are such as are purely of faith ; — such as the 
love of God in sending his Son into our world — the 
love of Christ in giving himself a ransom for many. 
" We love him, because he first loved us." — "Ye are 
not your own, but bought with a price; therefore glorify 
God in your bodies and spirits, which are his." Faith 
is the true spring of all evangelical and acceptable 
obedience — "By faith Abel offered unto God a more 
excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained wit- 
ness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts." 
Heb. xi. 4. 

10. Our Lord Jesus Christ dwells in the hearts of his 
people by faith, as an object of desire, delight, and esteem. 
He is only precious to them that believe — "Unto you 
therefore who believe he is precious." To the believer 
he is "the chief among ten thousands, and altogether 
lovely;" but unto them that believe not, he is "as a 
root sprung out of dry ground, having no form nor 
comeliness." Faith alone discerns his superior excel- 
lence, and causes us to desire him and make him our 
own; for until we discern his excellence and suitable- 
ness, and accept him, we will never love or esteem him. 
Having tasted that he is gracious, we will seek fellow- 
ship and communion with him as the one thing needful. 
This we will desire above all other things. What 
things we had been accustomed to "count gain, we now 
count loss for Christ, that we may win him and be 
found in him." 

11, and Lastly. Christ Jesus dwells in the hearts of 
his own children by faith, as the hope of glory. That resi- 
dence which Christ now has in the heart is an earnest 
and pledge of glory. Hence he is said to be in the 
believer the hope of glory — "To whom God would 
make known what is the riches of the glory of this 
mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, 
the hope of glory." 



155 



SERMON III. 

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE ETERNAL AND IMMU- 
TABLE GOD. 

" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." — 

HEBREWS XIII. 8. 

Every creature that has been brought into existence, 
either in heaven or on earth, is liable to change. A 
number of the angelic host who were created pure spirits 
"kept not their first estate, but left their own habita- 
tion, and are reserved in everlasting chains under dark- 
ness unto the judgment of the great day;" and, if the 
rest retained their holiness and happiness, it was not 
owing to any stability in themselves, but the sustaining 
and confirming grace of God. The human race have 
also given lamentable proof of instability, in their "de- 
parture from the Fountain of living waters, and hewing 
out broken and empty cisterns which can hold no wa- 
ter." — "God made man upright, but they have sought 
out many inventions." If we consider the outward lot 
of man, it is constantly changing; and whatever is 
stable in the condition of those who are in a state of 
grace, arises not from the nature of the creature, but 
from the grace of God. When we are, therefore, told 
that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and 
for ever," he is more than an angel, a super-angelic 
spirit, or a man. The character here given of Christ 
may be considered in itself, and in its connexion with 
the preceding and subsequent context. In itself it is 
very comprehensive. In his person, he is the Son of 
God, Jesus the divine Saviour. In his office, he is 
Christ, the called of God, and consecrated to his work 
by the unction of the Spirit without measure. In his 



156 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON III. 



person and offices, he is "the same yesterday, to-day, 
and for ever," words which indicate, in .the plainest 
manner, that he is eternal. The design of the inspired 
writer, in this statement, is evident from the preceding 
context. He was exhorting; the believing Hebrews to 
attend to the happy results of the conversation of those 
who had been their spiritual guides. They had trusted 
in Christ, and they were not put to confusion. But 
he is the same now as in their time — as worthy of the 
faith and hope of the present, as he had been of the 
past generations. 

1. Jesus Christ is the same in his divine person, in 
every period of duration. — His divine person is from 
everlasting to everlasting the same, without any vari- 
ableness or the least shadow of turning. God is neces- 
sarily self-existent and independent of any other; and 
such is Christ Jesus our Lord; he is God of himself. 
As man and mediator, he has a life given him for him- 
self and those for whom he was to lay it down and take 
it again, by the Father; but as God, he owes his life 
and being to none; "he is over all God, blessed for 
ever." Thus the Eternal Now, could not only have 
said to his enemies, "Before Abraham was I am," but 
also before Adam was, or the earth, or the heavens, or 
the angels were, " I AM that I AM." This view of 
his divine person was early known to the church: hence 
we find her saying, "For unto us a Child is born: unto 
us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon 
his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, 
Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, 
the Prince of Peace." This same incomprehensible 
and glorious object of our worship, whom Isaiah saw 
sitting on his throne high and lifted up, says, "Hearken 
to me, O Jacob and Israel, my called, I am He; I am 
the first, I also am the last. Mine hand also hath laid 
the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath 
spanned the heavens/'' Thus we find the attribute of 
unchangeableness every where ascribed to him as well 
as to the Father. Nor is it ascribed to him by mere 
creatures, but by the Father himself, who will not give 
his glory to another nor his praise to graven images — 



HEB. XIII. 8.] 



SERMONS. 



157 



"To the Son he saith, Thou, Lord, in the beginning 
hast laid the foundation of the earth, and. the heavens 
are the works of thine hands: They shall perish, but 
thou remainest; they shall all wax old as doth a gar- 
ment; and as a vesture thou shalt fold them up, and 
they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy 
years shall not fail." His incarnation made no real 
change upon his person. The change was only relative. 
In consequence of his incarnation, or his being made 
flesh and tabernacling among us, he had a nature united 
to his person which was not connected with it before; 
but he did not cease in any respects to be what he was 
before. In his divine person he was in respect of every 
essential property "the same, yesterday, to-day, and 
for ever." 

2. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for 
ever, in his official character as Mediator. — All that is 
manifested respecting him as Mediator in time, he was- 
in the divine person of God from everlasting. Hence 
we find him speaking of his official character as Me- 
diator — "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of 
his ways, before his works of old. I was set up from 
everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." 
He who was manifested in his official capacity in the 
fulness of time, was fore-ordained from everlasting — 
" Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation 
of the world, but was manifested in these last times for 
you." Though Christ as our Mediator existed in the 
purpose or decree from everlasting, and was thus set 
up, yet his human nature did not actually exist from 
eternity, as this was not then necessary to his becoming 
our Days-man, for it was enough when he in the coun- 
cils of peace agreed to become responsible to divine 
justice for all the debt his people contracted — for all 
the dishonour done by them to the divine law, that in 
time he should become man and make his soul an of- 
fering for sin: — even then, he assumed the name of 
God-man and Mediator, and acted as such. Thus we 
find him acting as the one Mediator between God and 
man under the former dispensation before the fulness 
of time came, when he was to be made of a woman, 
14 



158 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON III. 



made under the law, to redeem them that were under 
the law. He acted as a Prophet, by revealing to Adam 
immediately after the fall the covenant of grace; in 
preaching by his Spirit in the time of Noah, to those 
whose spirits were in the prison of hell in the days of 
the Apostle Peter; and by his Spirit in the prophets 
testifying before-hand of his own sufferings, and of his 
own glory, which was to follow. He who taught the 
church under the former dispensation by the ministry 
of the prophets, is the same who in the fulness of time 
discharged his prophetical work in our world and in 
our nature; and he who went about preaching the gos- 
pel for more than three years in Galilee and Judea, is 
the same who now speaks to us from heaven; Heb. 
xii. 25. He who is the true light that iighteth every 
man that cometh into the church militant, is also the 
sun of the heavenly world — The heavenly world "has 
no need of the sun, neither of the moon, for the Lord 
God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light there- 
of." — He is the same in his priesthood. The priests 
under the law "were not suffered to continue by reason 
of death; but this man continues for ever, because he 
has an unchangeable priesthood/' Even the order of 
the priesthood of Aaron was subject to change, but 
Christ is a priest of a superior order, distinguished by 
its immutability — "For those priests were made with- 
out an oath, but this with an oath by Him that said 
to him, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of 
Melchisedec," — He is also the same in his kingly office. 
He was a king in the purpose of God from everlasting, 
and he entered upon the exercise of his kingly as well 
as his priestly and prophetical offices immediately after 
the fall of man. Thus, before he came in the flesh, he 
as a king gathered, governed, and protected his people, 
and they confessed him to be their Lord, their Law- 
giver and Judge, and as a Priest in the faith of whose 
atoning blood all his people died, for he was " the 
Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." When 
he came into our world as a man of sorrows and ac- 
quainted with grief, yet he was " born king of the Jews," 
and was even then the alone king and head of his church. 



HEB. XIII. 8.] 



SERMONS. 



159 



And now since he has left our world, he is still /the 
same yesterday, to-day, and for ever — "Him hath God 
with his right hand exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour 
for to give repentance and forgiveness of sin." What- 
ever changes may take place in the manner of his ad- 
ministration, his official honours will be permanent — 
"He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and 
of his kingdom there shall be no end." 

3. He is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, in 
his saving benefits. — His blood is of the same efficacy 
for the remission of sins from age to age. He who 
was set forth in the promises and types as the Lamb 
slain from the foundation of the world, is the same who 
in time by himself purged our sins on Calvary. And 
he who bore our sins in his own body on the tree, is 
the same whom God sets forth in a gospel dispensation 
a propitiation through faith in his blood, declaring his 
righteousness for the remission of sins. He is the same 
in his righteousness for our justification; for "his right- 
eousness is an everlasting righteousness." The efficacy 
of his intercession is the same; for "him the Father 
heareth always — He is able to save to the very utter- 
most all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever 
liveth to make intercession for them." His Spirit is 
the same for the illumination, sanctification, and con- 
solation of the church. He is given to all that believe, 
that he may remain with them for ever. And though 
at times his influences are in a great measure restrained 
from the church, yet He is never altogether taken from 
her. This is God's covenant with her — "My Spirit 
which I have put within thee, and my words which I 
have put in thy mouth, I will not take out of thy mouth, 
nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor of thy seed's seed 
for ever." The inheritance which he procured for his 
people in heaven is the same yesterday, to-day, and 
for ever; is conveyed through the same channel; and 
secured by the same means. 

4. He is the same, in his love to his people, yesterday, 
to-day, and for ever. — His love towards his people was 
from everlasting. Hence we find him saying — " Yea, 
I have loved thee w r ith an everlasting love : therefore 



160 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON III. 



with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Having 
loved his own who were in the world, he loves them 
unto the end. Their exercises in his service may change; 
their love for him may become weak; but his love for 
them is still the same. His dispensations may change 
as to their outward aspect, but however dark and low- 
ering the sky may appear, there is always a bright 
smiling face behind; and when the clouds clear away, 
it is seen and loved more than ever. A vein of love 
runs through all his dealings with his people — " Who 
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribu- 
lations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or naked- 
ness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things, we 
are more than conquerers through him that loved us." 
He "rests in his love." The same love which con- 
strained him to assume their nature and die for them, 
makes him espouse their persons; and the same love 
which brings them into a state of grace here, will not 
leave them until they are brought to a state of glory 
hereafter — " Father, I will, that they also whom thou 
hast given me be with me, where I am, to behold my 
glory." 

5. He is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, in 
his wisdom to instruct, and his power to save his people. — 
"His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor." 
In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowl- 
edge. These treasures are inexhaustible. As the light 
of the natural sun is not diminished by all his com- 
munications from age to age, so neither are our Lord's 
treasures of wisdom or knowledge diminished, notwith- 
standing the thousands and tens of thousands who have 
been supplied by him in every period of the church. 
"All their well-springs are in Him; and out of his 
fulness have they all received grace upon grace." Be- 
sides, his power to save from sin, Satan, and the world, 
is of equal extent with his wisdom — "His hand is not 
shortened that it cannot save, neither is his ear heavy 
that it cannot hear. He is the Lord, mighty to save, 
able to save to the very uttermost" of his people's de- 
sires or necessities. 

6. lie is the same yesterday, to-day , and for ever, in 



IJEB. XIII. 8.] 



SERMONS. 



161 



his truth and faithfulness. — "Truth is the girdle of his 
loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. He keep- 
eth truth for ever." Heaven and earth may pass away, 
but his word shall not pass away till all his promises 
be fulfilled to his people, and all his threatenings be 
inflicted upon his enemies. He is as faithful to the 
one as he is to the other — "God is not a man that he 
should lie; neither the son of man that he should re- 
pent: hath he said it, and shall he not do it? or hath 
he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" He is 
" the faithful and true Witness, the Prince of the kings 
of the earth — These things saith he that is holy, he 
that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that 
openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no 
man openeth." 

Are these remarks calculated to prove that Jesus 
Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever? 
Then we should improve this doctrine, — 

1. For promoting our steadfastness in the faith of the 
gospel. — As Christ is the same, so the doctrines of the 
gospel, if faithfully and seripturally preached, must be 
the same in every age. We should, therefore, " cease 
to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the 
words of knowledge," and be on our guard to keep 
ourselves out of the way of those Arian, Socinian, and 
Arminian words of doctrine, under the influence of 
which so many are carried away from the good old 
paths, tossed to and fro until they are dashed to pieces, 
and make shipwreck of the faith and a good conscience. 
As we have received and heard of Christ's divinity, 
his official character as Mediator, his saving benefits, 
his love, his wisdom, his power, faithfulness, and truth, 
we should "hold fast that profession of our faith, with- 
out wavering; for faithful is He whom we serve, to do 
all he has promised." We should "be steadfast and 
immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 
knowing that our labour shall not be in vain in the 
Lord — In due time w^e shall reap, if we faint not." 

2. Is Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for 
ever? — then how great the encouragement to the chief of sin- 
ners to come to him for peace, pardon, a,nd acceptance. — 

14* 



162 



SERMONS. 



[sermon in. 



We find that the worst characters our world ever pro- 
duced have found pardon and acceptance through the 
blood of Christ; and we have the testimony of Him 
who cannot lie, that this remedy has the same virtue to 
cleanse the conscience, enlighten the understanding, 
regulate the affections, and renew the will, as in former 
times. Christ is the same, and so are all his saving 
benefits. He still says, "Come unto me, all ye that 
lobour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." 
And multitudes who could not inherit the kingdom, be- 
cause they were fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, 
covetous, drunkards, extortioners, have found, to their 
happy experience, that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's 
own Son, cleanses from all sin; and can say — Such were 
we once, but we are washed, but we are sanctified, but 
we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by 
the Spirit of our God. None that are out of the place 
of eternal punishment need despair. 

3. Is Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever? 
then his people need never be afraid either of the malice, 
poioer, or number of enemies, whether they be temporal or 
spiritual. — His people have in all ages been conquerors 
and more than conquerors through Him, and will con- 
tinue to be so to the end of time. The church can 
never sink so long as Christ is on board. He who re- 
deemed her from Egypt, and from Babylon, and who 
kept her alive in the furnace of persecution under pagan 
and anti-christian Rome, is as willing and as able to 
save her as ever he was. He is still as a wall of fire 
around her, and the glory in the midst of her, and no 
weapon that is formed against her shall prosper — " Why 
do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain 
thing? He that sits in heaven shall laugh; the Lord 
shall hold them in derision. Then shall he speak to 
them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displea- 
sure." 

4. Is Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever 
towards his church f — then how ought we to be filled with 
shame and confusion on account of our weakness and want 
of love to him, and zeal for his honour and glory in the 
world f— Though he will never turn away from us to 



HEB. XIII. 8.] 



SERMONS. 



163 



do us good, yet we too frequently and easily turn our 
back upon him and his cause, and follow those who 
mind their own things and not the things that are 
Jesus Christ's. We should "love him who first loved 
us and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice 
unto God for a sweet-smelling savour/' Happy will 
it be for us if we could say in truth — " But we are not 
of them that draw back to perdition; but of them that 
believe to the saving of the soul." 



164 



SERMON IV. 

JESUS CHRIST THE COMPLEMENT OF THE CHURCH 
OR BELIEVERS. 
"Ye are complete in Him."— colossians, ii. 10. 

The church, considered in herself, is a weak, afflicted, 
defenceless society. In respect to numbers, she has 
been, in general, the fewest of all people. With respect 
to outward circumstances, she has been composed of a 
poor and an afflicted people. With respect to talents 
and human acquirements, "not many wise men after 
the flesh" have joined her fellowship; but God "has 
chosen the weak things of this world to confound the 
things that are mighty, and the foolish things to con- 
found the wise, and things that are not, to bring to 
nought the things are." But viewed in connexion with 
her Head, she is the most noble, most safe, and most 
happy society that ever has existed, or ever will exist 
on this side the grave. She "is complete in Him who 
is the Head of all principalities and powers." And, 
in the preceding verse, to convince us of this, the apostle 
says, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God- 
head bodily." The Godhead is a scriptural expression 
for the divine nature. And we are here told that in 
Christ Jesus all the fulness of this nature dwells. In 
his person as the Son of God, there is not an essential 
attribute of Godhead which does not belong to him. 
This fulness is in him bodily, that is, wholly. Or, the 
expression may refer to his human nature; then it 
dwells in him really, and not figuratively, as the Shek- 
inah in the tabernacle or temple, which was only a 
symbol of Divinity, a shadow of His gracious presence; 
but in Christ the fulness of Deity dwells substantially. 



coii. ii. 10.] 



SERMONS. 



165 



and all the divine perfections are exercised by hini, as 
"God manifested in the flesh," through the union of 
the divine and human natures in one person. This ful- 
ness, as it is said to dwell in his person absolutely, 
dwells in it necessarily. In this respect it differs from 
his mediatorial fulness, of which the same apostle speaks 
— "For it pleased the Father that in him should all ful- 
ness dwell." It is in this relative fulness that his church 
is complete, or, as the word may be rendered, made 
full in him ; and it is out of this fulness that all his 
people receive grace upon grace. Thus the church is 
filled up, rendered perfect, or complete, in Him. What- 
ever is necessary for her purity, peace, happiness and 
safety, either in their beginning or consummation, is 
found treasured up in him — "He is made of God unto 
her, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemp- 
tion." 

1. All who believe in Christ for the salvation of their 
souls, are complete in him as a head of reconciliation. — 
When God created man upright, and appointed him to 
be the federal head and representative of all his pos- 
terity, they were complete in him as long as he retained 
his integrity; not as a head of reconciliation, for no 
offense had been given, no separation had taken place, 
no sin had entered in his heart, his word, or his deed : 
but when sin entered into our world, and death came 
by this sin which violated the covenant, then it separ- 
ated us from God, exposed us to his wrath and curse, 
and caused him to hide his face from us — "Your in- 
iquities have separated between you and your God, and 
your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not 
hear/' Hence we are told that "God is angry with 
the wicked every day." His judicial displeasure at 
sin, on which he cannot look but with abhorrence and 
detestation, can only be turned away by the removal 
of that which was the cause of it. But God's righteous 
displeasure can only be turned away, and guilt removed, 
by satisfaction or punishment adequate to the offense. 
And what is this? "The wages of sin is death; but 
the gift of God is eternal life." And " without shed- 
ding of blood there is no remission." But sin, which 



168 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON IV. 



lias obliterated the image of God from the soul of man, 
and caused God to turn from him as a loathsome crea- 
ture, could not be expiated or atoned for by the blood 
of any created being. To satisfy the justice of the 
lawgiver and vindicate the honour of his law, the pun- 
ishment must be adequate to the offense. Now we 
must ever keep in mind, that sin is an offense of infinite 
demerit, having been committed against a God of in- 
finite dignity and purity. It is for this reason that 
legal sacrifices u could not take away sin as pertaining 
to the conscience." God could not be pleased with 
rams, or calves of a year old. Sacrifice and offering 
he would not accept. He would not accept of a first- 
born for the sin of the soul. But in the choice and 
mission of his only begotten Son, he has provided, in 
his rich mercy, a ransom fully adequate to all the de- 
mands of his dishonoured, violated law. By his death 
and resurrection God is reconciled to sinners; that is, 
his judicial displeasure is turned away. Reconciliation 
was accomplished by the death of Christ as a sacrifice 
for the sins of those that were given him in the coun- 
sels of peace from eternity; and this sacrifice was offered 
to God as an offended judge, who must be the party 
reconciled by it — " Seventy weeks are determined upon 
thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the trans- 
gression, and to make an end of sins, and to make 
reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting 
righteousness." Hence we are told that those who 
" believe" in this atonement, and take shelter under 
this " everlasting righteousness," are taken into a new 
covenant relation with God, who was formerly angry 
with them — "I will establish my covenant with thee, 
and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: that thou 
mayest remember and he confounded, and never open 
thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am 
pacified towards thee for all that thou hast done, saith 
the Lord God." It is a knowledge of this reconciliation 
and of this relation, that causes every believing soul 
to exclaim, "We joy in God through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, by whom now we have received the atonement." 
This reconciliation comes to be mutual — " I will say 



COL. II. 10.] 



SERMONS. 



167 



to them that were not my people, Thou art my people; 
and they shall say, Thou art my God." As the sacri- 
fice of Christ satisfies the justice of God; so faith in 
the atonement pacifies the conscience of the sinner, and 
subdues his enmity against God — " We love him because 
he first loved us." In Christ, as the head of " recon- 
ciliation," God and sinners meet in peace, for He "is 
in Christ reconciling sinners to himself, not imputing 
to them their trespasses." Therefore they are found 
saying, " We have peace with God through our Lord 
Jesus Christ." A blessed relation this! "A blessed 
people they are whose God is the Lord!" — This recon- 
ciliation between God and the sinner, is necessarily 
followed with peace between the sinner and holy angels. 
These blessed spirits must be hostile to all who are 
enemies to God, their Creator and Preserver; but when 
sinners are united to Him by the bond of friendship, 
holy angels also become their friends — " There is joy 
in heaven among the angels of God over one sinner 
that repenteth. — Are they not all ministering spirits, 
sent forth to minister to them who are heirs of salva- 
tion?" The whole family of elect angels and redeemed 
men, are gathered together in Him as their head of 
government, and are complete in him in all their rela- 
tions, attainments, and services. 

2. Those who believe in Christ, in whom dwells all the 
fulness of the Godhead bodily, are complete in him as a 
head of justifying righteousness. — This is nearly connect- 
ed with our former particular. Our Lord, in making 
reconciliation for sin, laid a solid foundation for the 
justification of all his people. His death for sin, taken 
in connexion with his holy obedience to the precepts 
of God's law, constitutes that righteousness, on the 
ground of which we are justified, and in him we are 
complete. We are, in ourselves considered, destitute 
of any righteousness — "All our righteousnesses are as 
filthy rags, and our iniquities like the wind have taken 
us away." Instead of covering us, they only expose 
us; instead of beautifying us, they only defile us. But 
in Christ we are complete. His righteousness when 
imputed to us, is sufficient for the remission of our sins 



168 



SERMONS. 



[SEftMON IV. 



and the justification of our persons; however vile and 
worthless we may be in ourselves. In Him, as a head 
of righteousness, we enjoy a complete pardon — "In 
whom we have redemption through his blood, the for- 
giveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. — 
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that 
are in Christ Jesus." We are also completely accepted. 
Our persons and services are accepted through him. 
We are received into favour, and are never more cast 
off — "For this is as the waters of Noah unto me; for 
as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more 
go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not 
be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the moun- 
tains shall depart, and the hills be removed ; but my 
kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the 
covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that 
hath mercy on thee." 

3. All who receive and rest upon Christ for salvation, 
are complete in him as the Head of all saving gifts and 
influences. — In him they have ample provision for their 
external defense and internal illumination and purifi- 
cation — "When he ascended up on high, he received 
gifts for men, even the rebellious, that God the Lord 
might dwell among them." He ascended on high "that 
he might fill all things" — that he might fill his church 
with office bearers, his ministers with gifts and graces, 
and his ordinances with efficacy for the conversion of 
sinners, and for building up saints in their most holy 
faith: Eph. iv. 10 — 12. Ministers without Christ are 
insufficient for any service — "Not as though we were 
sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; 
but our sufficiency is of Christ, who has also made us 
able ministers of the New Testament." Independent 
of him, the ordinances of religion are "wells without 
water." His Spirit "fills the pools" with the water of 
life; which vivifies, sanctifies, and comforts his church. 
— More particularly, they are complete in him as a 
head of illuminating influences. He is t he ever shining, 
never changing Sun of the church, from which she de- 
rives all her light respecting spiritual and eternal things. 
He is " the Sun of righteousness, who arises upon them 



COL. II. 10.] 



SERMONS. 



169 



with healing in his wings" — Mai. iv. 3. "The true 
light which lighteth everv man that cometh into the 
world" — John i. 9. His people are, at best, while here, 
but limited in their acquaintance with the things of 
God. Here they know but in part; but there is an 
all-sufficiency in Christ, hid in him, treasured up in 
him, for them — "In him are hid all the treasures of 
wisdom and knowledge." This light he communicates 
according to their necessities. He is kind and com- 
passionate, and instructs them according as they are 
able to bear it. As the natural light breaks in upon 
our world gradually, so as not to injure the organs of 
vision by a sudden transition from darkness to light, 
so in like manner the Sun of righteousness diffuses his 
light gradually upon the soul, so as not to confuse, in- 
jure, or overwhelm the mind — "I have yet many 
things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." 
He " leads the blind in a way they know not, and in 
paths they have not known; he makes darkness light 
before them, and crooked things straight ; these things 
he has promised to do unto them, and will not forsake 
them." That day which now dawns upon thefr souls, 
will shine in heaven in all its meridian splendour. 
There "they have no need of the sun, neither of the 
moon to shine in it ; for the glory of God enlightens 
it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." — They are also 
complete in him as a Head of sanctifying influences. 
He is made of God unto them sanctification. He is 
the perfect pattern of their new life. He is also the 
official cause of it. He sanctifies the church by his 
word and his Spirit — " Christ also loved the church 
and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and 
cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that 
he might present it to himself a glorious church, not 
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that 
it should be holy, and without blemish." The Spirit 
was poured out upon him without measure, not merely 
to qualify his human nature with all necessary gifts 
and graces, but that he should purify his people, and 
make them meet for the heavenly inheritance. They 
are saved with the washing of water, and the renewing 
15 



170 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON IV. 



of the Holy Ghost, which is shed on them abundantly 
through Jesus Christ their Saviour. — They are, be- 
sides these things, complete, or made full, in him as a 
Head of comforting influences. He is a kind friend and 
comforter to his people under all changes, trials, and be- 
reavements. He was anointed for this very purpose- — 
" The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings 
to the meek, he hath sent me to bind up the broken 
hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the 
opening of the prison to them that are bound." And 
when he left our world as to his bodily presence, 
never to return till he " come in the clouds with power 
and great glory," he sent them another Comforter and 
Advocate, who would never leave nor forsake them — 
" And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you 
another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever ; 
even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot re- 
ceive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him ; 
bnt ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall 
be in you." Indeed, all new covenant blessings are 
treasured up in Him. as the Head of the church ; and 
"out of His fulness all his people are daily receiving 
grace for grace," in proportion to their day of duty. 

4. They that believe in Christ are all complete in him 
as a Head of government. — This is the principal idea 
in these w T ords, for in the latter part of the verse it 
is said — " Who is the head of all principality and 
power." Christ is the alone king and head of the 
church, both in her militant and triumphant state. 
"He is the head of the body the church, the first-born 
from the dead, that in all things he might have the 
pre-eminence. For it has pleased the Father that in 
him all fulness should dwell." He is also given to 
be head over all things to the church. She is complete 
in him with respect to the laws delivered by him for 
the rule of her conduct-—" God's law is perfect, con- 
verting the soul." The princes of this world may 
give laws, and command their subjects to obey, but 
they cannot impart moral ability to do their will ; but 
Christ not only calls to duty, he also gives will and 
ability for the keeping of his commandments. He 



col. n. 10.] 



SERMONS. 



171 



says, "My grace is sufficient for you, ray strength is 
made perfect in your weakness. — Thy shoes shall be 
iron and brass, and as thy days are, so shall thy 
strength be." As a governor, he leads his church in 
the path of righteousness. for his own name's sake. He 
conducts them forth to combat their spiritual enemies, 
and secures to them the victory over them — " He 
is given for a witness of the people, for a leader and 
commander of the people." In him they have com- 
plete armour for their defense, and complete security 
that they shall be conquerors, and more than con- 
querors through him. They have the shield of faith, 
for a helmit they have the hope of salvation, for their 
sword they have the word of God, which is sharp and 
powerful for dividing asunder soul and spirit, joint and 
marrow. In him as their head, they have the most 
powerful leader and commander, as well as most hon- 
ourable, skilful, and faithful alliances. Holy angels 
are on their side — " Are they not all ministering spirits, 
sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of 
salvation?" Yea, the God of angels is their guide and 
protector — "God is our refuge and our strength, a pres- 
ent help in the time of trouble." Have they to fight 
against principalities, and powers, and spiritual wicked- 
nesses in high places? Christ has conquered Satan 
and all his angels, and has them in his chain, and can 
bind them or loose them at his pleasure. Have they 
to encounter wicked men, whose part and portion is in 
this present life? Christ has overcome the world; and 
his people are more than conquerors through him. 
Have they to contend with flesh and blood; with an 
army of lusts within them? Through him they are 
completely safe from their dominion; and shall obtain 
the victory over them — "O wretched man that I am, 
who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I 
thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord." Are their 
enemies cunning? He is infinite in wisdom; and knows 
all their evil designs, and how to overturn them. Are 
they lively and strong? He is omnipotent; and can 
dash them in pieces, as a potter dashes an earthen ves- 
sel that displeases him — -" The eyes of the Lord run to 



172 



SEKMOSTS. 



[SEEMON IV. 



and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself 
strong in behalf of" them who are on his side. All 
creatures in heaven, in earth, and in hell, are under his 
control, and he makes them subordinate for their good. 

5. All who savingly believe in Christ Jesus, are com- 
plete in him as the heir of all things. — The Father " has 
appointed him heir of all things;" and "they are heirs, 
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." The Lord 
Jesus Christ as God, is the possessor of heaven and 
earth ; but the same extensive power and possessions 
are delegated to him as mediator — " All power, (says 
he,) is given to me, in heaven and in earth." This 
rich inheritance is bestowed on him for the benefit of 
the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that 
filleth all in all. In him his people inherit all 
things — "All things are yours; whether Paul, or 
Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, 
things present, or things to come ; all things are yours, 
for ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." All things 
are put in subjection to Christ, as the head of the 
church, for her benefit, and they are employed for this 
purpose as their necessities require — " He that over- 
cometh shall inherit all things; I will be his Father, 
and he shall be my son." They receive from him, as 
the fountain of life, grace to help them in every time 
of need. The grace of pardon, the grace of accept- 
ance, the grace of adoption, the grace of heart-regen- 
eration, and soul-sanctification. All is treasured up 
in Christ. Glory as w 7 ell as grace is treasured up in 
him. When he rose from the dead, all his people 
virtually rose with him, as their representative. His 
resurrection is an earnest and pledge of theirs. Hence 
they are said to be risen with him — " If ye then be 
risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, 
where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God." When 
he ascended, they also virtually ascended with him. 
Glory is to him an inheritance in possession, and to 
them an inheritance in reserve — " I go to prepare a 
place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for 
you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that 
where I am, there you may be also. — Henceforth there 



COJLu II. 10.] 



SERMONS. 



is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which 
the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that 
day." While eternal ages revolve, the believer in 
Jesus will be complete in unspeakable happiness and 
glory; but all that glory is presently in His possession. 
Though we have not attained to it in our own persons, 
we possess it in our exalted head. Did the Father 
give him a kingdom? He will also give us one. Has 
he taken his seat on his Father's throne? We shall 
also be admitted to sit down with him on the same 
throne. 

Finally. — We are therefore complete in him, both in 
what relates to grace here and glory hereafter. How 
calm and composed then, should we be, amidst all the 
storms that assail us in time, and in prospect of passing 
through the billows of Jordan, leaving this world with 
all its frowns and smiles behind us, when we have such 
company, such enjoyments before us! And with what 
cheerfulness may we, at his command in whom our 
all is placed, lay down our charge, quit our stations 
and relations, and deposit our remains in the dust, in 
hope of reigning with him and his glorified saints at 
the resurrection ! It matters not when or where we 
leave this world ; the road to our Father's house is as 
short and safe from one part of the world as from 
another. Yet " It is sweet to lay our bones in the 
bosom of our native land ; for the flowers which we 
love on earth shall brighten around our graves, and 
the trees whose gentle murmurs pleased the ear, shall 
hang their shadows over our sleeping dust." But it is 
some consolation that the resurrection morning will 
dawn as early upon our graves in the green woods of 
America, as in North Britain ; and the sun-burnt 
African and the fair European shall rise at the same 
time to meet their Saviour and Judge, and be welcomed 
to his kingdom. May you and I, Christian reader, be 
found among that honored, that happy, that complete 
number ! 



15* 



174 



SERMON V. 

Jacob's vow: or, the believer's trust in god 
for temporal blessings. 

"And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me and 
keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat 
and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house 
in peace; then shall the Lord be my God; and this stone which 
I have set for a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that thou 
shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.' 7 — Genesis 
xxviii. 20-22. 

Jacob is one of those persons whose history is re- 
corded, by the pen of inspiration, for the benefit of the 
church in every age ; and perhaps there is no period 
of his life more interesting and instructive than that 
which is related in these and the preceding verses. 
It contains many highly important lessons, calculated 
to promote the edification and comfort of God's people 
at all times ; and especially in the seasons of adversity 
and danger. Jacob, when a young man, was obliged 
to become an exile from his father's house, to save his 
life from the rage of an angry brother. Owing to the 
nature of property among men in that early period of 
the world, consisting mostly in flocks and herds, it 
was impracticable for him to take any part of that 
along with him which belonged to his father's house, 
and to which he had a claim as a child of the family, 
in order to assist him on his journey, and secure him 
a more welcome reception in a foreign land. Accord- 
ingly, we are told he left his father's house only with 
a staff in his hand. But this was not all, he not only 
left rich possessions and took his journey in an un- 
known road, without a guide or any mode of convey- 
ance; but he had to part with what very few young 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



175 



men have to part with in taking their journey for a 
foreign land, an aged, affectionate, godly father, and 
an indulgent mother, who had hitherto watched over 
his best interests with the greatest care. But though 
he had left his father's house without wealth and with- 
out a friend to accompany him in the trackless desert; 
he was in possession of what was infinitely more pre- 
ferable, a spiritual blessing, which had been pronounced 
upon him by his father under the direction of the 
Holy Spirit, before he took his departure — " And 
Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and charged him, 
and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the 
daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padan-aram, to 
the house of Bethuel, thy mother's father ; and take 
thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban, thy 
mother's brother. And God Almirfitv bless thee, 
and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou 
mayest be a multitude of people ; and give thee the 
blessing of Abraham, to thee and to thy seed with 
thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou 
art a stranger, which God gpve unto Abraham" — 
"Verses 1-4. 

With this blessing Jacob set out from his father's 
house, casting many a longing lingering look behind; 
and soon found in his own experience, that it was not 
merely the fond wish of an indulgent parent he had 
received, but a blessing from " the God of his salva- 
tion " in whom he had been carefully instructed, and 
to whose service he had been devoted — Verses 10-15. 
In these verses Jacob had a rich display of God's cove- 
nant, both in what he saw and what he heard. God 
proclaimed his covenant in these words — "I am the 
Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac." 
Under that dispensation God made himself known in 
his new covenant character, bv the name or designation 
of the God of Abraham and Isaac, because it was to 
them as the representatives of the Jewish church, that 
he revealed his covenant, in the way of taking their 
posterity as well as themselves into an external cove- 
nant relation with himself. He also renewed to him 
the promises of that covenant, together with the grant 



176 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON V. 



of the inheritance of Canaan to his posterity; which 
promises and grant had been made first to Abraham, 
and then to Isaac — "The land whereon thou liest, to 
thee will I give it, and to thy seed." 

From what he saw in the vision, he had a clear dis- 
covery of the channel in which all new covenant bless- 
ings flow from a God of grace to the children of men. 
You will notice, when God published his covenant, 
that he is represented as standing at the head of a lad- 
der set upon the earth, the top of which reached to 
heaven. This ladder was a striking type of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, as mediator between God and man. The 
angels, we are told, ascended and descended upon this 
ladder. This represented Christ as the medium of all 
gracious communications between God and man. It 
is true that angels minister to the saints, but all their 
ministrations as the servants of God, employed in pro- 
moting his people's salvation, are through the medium 
of Jesus, "the mediator of the new covenant." It is 
in and through him that God blesses them with all 
heavenly and spiritual -J^lessings. 

The verses more immediately under consideration, 
contain an account of Jacob's vow, and of God reveal- 
ing his covenant to him and promising him protection 
in the way whither he went. God had revealed him- 
self to Jacob as a promising God; he had ratified his 
promise to him in a most solemn manner: it therefore 
became him to renew his engagements with God. Such 
exercise, either virtually or explicitly, is inseparably 
connected with taking hold of God's covenant by an 
appropriating act of faith. The believer's vows are 
just the echo or reply of God's promises. When he 
says — "It is my people," they say — "The Lord is my 
God." You will observe that this vow was made by 
Jacob in the exercise of faith. God had said to Jacob 
— "Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all 
places whither thou goest." Jacob took hold of this 
promise, and upon this he rested his vow as recorded 
in our text — " If God will be with me and keep me 
in this way that I go, * * * then shall the Lord 
be my God," &c. He expressed himself in this man- 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 177 

ner, not because he doubted the promise which was 
given him, but because his resolutions could only take 
effect in the way of God's promises to him receiving 
their accomplishment. God must accomplish his 
promise to us, before we can perform our engagements 
to him, for unless he be with us in all our ways, we 
can do nothing. 

The substance of Jacob's vow is first general, and 
then particular. It is, generally, expressed in these 
words — " Then shall the Lord be my God." We are 
not to suppose from this mode of expression, that 
Jacob did not close with God as his God and Father 
in covenant in the mean time. No ; it only implies, 
that in the way of God's promises concerning his 
protection and provision being accomplished, he would 
receive additional evidence of his relation to him ; and, 
that then he would have an opportunity of serving God 
in that place on some future day : for this general ex- 
pression of his resolution, is only introductory to that 
more particular expression of it contained in verse 22 
— u And this stone which I have set for a pillar, 
shall be God's house; and of all that thou shalt give 
me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee." These 
words contain, more peculiarly, the matter of Jacob's 
vow. He promised and vowed to build an altar to 
God in that place, and to serve him with his substance; 
but this could only be done in the way of God increas- 
ing his worldly riches. Jacob desired the good things 
of this life from the best of motives; not only for the 
support of his natural life, but also as means which he 
might employ in maintaining the cause of God. In 
this, as well as in many other things, his conduct is 
recorded for our imitation. Good were it for many 
whom the Lord has raised from poverty to affluence, 
who may have crossed the Atlantic with only a staff 
in their hand, but now by the blessing of God upon 
their labours may have become two bands, if they would 
remember their vows to Him, and give to the sup- 
port of his gospel, as he has prospered them in the 
world. 

For the better understanding of these words, and 



178 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON V. 



that we may be stirred up to follow the good example 
contained in them, we shall, Christian reader, 

I. Consider the manner in which Jacob's faith was 
exercised about temporal blessings. 

II. Consider the influence which his faith had upon 
his conduct, in reference to these temporal mercies; 
both when he was poor and when he became rich. 

I. Let us in the rest of the present Discourse con- 
sider the manner in which Jacob's faith was exercised 
about temporal blessings. 

1. He believed that God was the sovereign disposer of 
his lot and all his interests. — Temporal blessings are the 
fruit of God's bounty, as the Creator and Preserver of 
the creatures which he has made. From this source 
they flow, though in different circumstances to the evil 
and the good, to the just and the unjust — "But I say 
unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, 
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that 
despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may 
be the children of your Father who is in heaven, for He 
maketh the sun to rise upon the evil and the good, and 
sendeth rain upon the just and unjust." The. provi- 
dence of God, in this respect, embraces the wants of 
the rational as well as the irrational creation — " Who 
covereth the heavens with clouds, who prepares the 
rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon 
the mountains, who giveth to the beast his food, and 
to the young ravens which cry. — The eyes of all wait 
on thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season— 
thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of 
every living thing." The providence of God is not a 
mere general disposal of his creatures and their actions, 
as those would have us believe who maintain the world 
is governed by second causes, which were set in motion 
by him who is the first cause, and now operate by cer- 
tain fixed laws, without his immediate interference, — 
but it is particular; for though God governs the world, 
and supplies the wants of his creatures by the interven- 
tion of second causes, yet these operate as causes under 
the immediate influence of the great God as the First 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



179 



Cause. To deny this, would be to ascribe to these 
second causes the attribute of independence; which be- 
longs to God only. Our Creator and Preserver is the 
wise and merciful disposer of the lot of all his creatures, 
and his providence extends to the most minute circum- 
stance connected with them. Accordingly, our Lord 
informs us that the very hairs of our heads are all num- 
bered, and that not one sparrow can fall to the ground 
independent of the sovereign disposal of God. 

But Jacob did not only believe in the doctrine of a 
common, but also of a special providence, of which God's 
own people are the objects. They are so, principally 
in respect of the spiritual benefits God confers upon 
them as a God of grace, through the mediation of his 
Son. But, though this is the case, they are also the 
objects of his special providence as a God of grace, in 
relation to their temporal good things. The dispensa- 
tion of the benefits whicn flow from God's bounty as 
the God of nature to his own people, is influenced by 
him in a supernatural way as a God of grace, so as to 
be subservient to their spiritual and eternal interests, 
and so that they receive them from him divested of 
the curse which man entailed upon all his enjoyments 
by his fall, and accompanied with "the blessing which 
maketh rich and addeth no sorrow;" and in this re- 
spect they may be considered not only as the blessings 
of God's common, but also of his special providence. 
Or as it is expressed by a recent ecclesiastical union 
convention — "Common benefits being of an earthly 
and perishing nature, and common to believers and 
unbelievers, are not to be considered as purchased by 
Christ; but these benefits being by breach of covenant 
forfeited to all men, this forfeiture is, to believers, re- 
moved, and the sanctified use of them restored by the 
merit and mediation of Christ." In this way we are 
inclined to believe Jacob's faith was exercised about 
his common benefits; for he expected them to come to 
him through a gracious channel, and purposed to use 
them in subserviency to the advancement of God's glory 
and his own spiritual interests. He believed that he 
would receive such a share of the good things of this 



180 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON V. 



life as would be most calculated to promote his spiritual 
and eternal interests. 

2. He was convinced that God was both able and will- 
ing to bestow upon his people a competent share of out- 
ward enjoyments. — God's will in this respect is to be 
learned from his promises, and these promises extend 
to the wants and necessities of the body in this present 
life, as well as to the wants of the soul ; though it must 
be confessed, that those which respect the latter, are 
more numerous and full than those which respect the 
former. God has promised to his people that "their 
bread shall be given them, and their water shall be 
made sure and that " they who wait upon him shall 
lack no good thing." God's people are encouraged to 
trust in him for temporal mercies, from the near rela- 
tion he stands to them as their father and friend in 
Christ. If God so bountifully provides for the wants 
of irrational creatures, — if he clothe the grass of the 
field with verdure, — shall he not provide for the 
temporal wants of those who are so near and dear to 
him ? He has given them his Son, and in him all 
spiritual and heavenly blessings; shall he not with 
them confer what is necessary for the body ? — " What 
shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who 
can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, 
but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with 
him also freely give us all things?" 

As Jacob's faith respected these benefits, and was 
grounded upon God's promise, so he was encouraged 
to expect its accomplisment from the consideration of 
the relation in which he stood to God. Are we among 
the generation that seek after the face of the God of 
Jacob, and are interested in his covenant? Then Ave 
need not fear that we shall be neglected in those things 
which He shall see to be for our good. It is not be- 
cause he is unwilling or unable to bestow an abun- 
dance of worldly pleasures and riches upon his people, 
that we find them often in poverty and distress'; but 
because he sees that the withholding such things from 
them is for their present and future benefit. We are 
not competent judges of those things which are most 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 181 

adapted for us, for a depraved heart makes us call bitter 
sweet and sweet bitter. What things w T e think are 
working for us, we are often disposed to say are against 
us. Let us submit cheerfully to the wise and merciful 
ordering of Providence, believing that our lot is cast 
in a right manner, and the whole disposition of it from 
the Lord — "The Lord is a sun and shield, he will give 
grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold 
from us, if we walk uprightly. — Godliness with con- 
tentment is great gain; having the promise of the life 
that now is, and also of that which is to come." Let 
us guard against murmuring, and aim at being content 
with such things as we have; for our God has said — 
"I will never leave thee, I will never forsake thee." 

3. Though Jacob believed that God was able and will- 
ing to bestow these temporal benefits upon his people, yet 
he was convinced that the extent to which they to ere to be 
enjoyed by them is very uncertain. — The promises of God 
concerning temporal benefits, differ from his promises 
respecting spiritual blessings. In his promises of spirit- 
ual blessings, the benefits themselves are not only men- 
tioned, but the extent in which they are to be enjoyed; 
first in a state of grace, and then in a state of glory. 
They are promised in all their extent, for he blesses 
his people " with all spiritual and heavenly blessings 
in Christ Jesus:" but the promises respecting temporal 
benefits are not of this definite nature. The particular 
share of temporal good things which they are to enjoy, 
is not specified. These promises neither secure that 
they shall have worldly affluence, nor even all the con- 
veniences of this life; but they give security for what 
is far more important, that he will grant them such a 
share of this world's goods as he knows shall be best 
calculated to promote their spiritual interests; and that 
as long as he sees it to be for his glory and their good 
to retain them in the body, they shall have wmat is neces- 
sary for the support of their animal life. These prom- 
ises therefore which relate to temporal benefits, though 
equally certain so far as they go, are less definite than 
those which respect spiritual blessings. Accordingly, 
the Lord's people, in dealing with him about these bene- 
16 



182 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON V. 



fits, study to adapt their petitions, and regulate their 
expectations, to the nature of these promises. Jacob 
leaves it entirely to the sovereignty of God, to determine 
upon the way by which he was to be provided for, the 
nature and the extent of his possessions, and the time 
and manner in which he was to return to that memor- 
able spot where he had such a discovery of God's gracious 
relation to him and the interest he took in him, which 
caused him to say — "This is the house of God; this is 
the gate of heaven. " Thus, though he was willing to 
be entirely at the disposal of his heavenly Father, when 
he was a stranger in a strange land, as to the openings 
of his providence, the means he would employ, the re- 
lations he would form, and the portion of this world's 
goods that was to fall to his share; yet he engages in 
a solemn manner that a tenth part should be devoted 
to his worship and laid out for his service — " Of all 
that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth 
unto thee." The believer, in dealing with God about 
spiritual blessings, is warranted to ask and expect not 
the half, but the whole of the kingdom, or all the bless- 
ings of grace and glory, because they have been made 
sure to him as a free gift in the gospel. But in deal- 
ing with the Most High respecting temporal benefits, 
he is not warranted to ask all the bounties of his com- 
mon providence, but such a share of them as he shall 
see to be for his good. Hence our Lord teaches us to 
pray, not for wealth, but for daily and necessary food — 
" When ye pray, say, Give us this day our daily^bread." 
They have been highly favoured, indeed, who have 
been brought up on the knees of pious parents, who 
have presented many a prayer, inprivate and unseen, 
for their temporal and eternal welfare. They do not 
know but their protection in the midst of danger, their 
supply in the midst of scarcity, the friends they have 
found, the temptations they have escaped, and the rela- 
tions which have been formed, have been in answer to 
those petitions which were sent from the hearts of those 
who are now sleeping in the dust in a far distant land. 
Such should remember their early opportunities and 
engagements, and never be ashamed or afraid to appear 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



183 



openly on the side of truth, and say — " Doubtless thou 
art our Father: though Abraham be ignorant of us, 
and Israel acknowledge us not, thou, O Lord, art our 
Father, our Redeemer; thy name is from everlasting." 
— Those who have been religiously brought up, but 
who, when far from the eye or the advice of their par- 
ents, have conformed to the world, turned their back 
upon a scriptural profession, and forsaken the Lord 
God of their fathers, have an awful account to give at 
last. 

4. Jacob was convinced, that if God withheld from him 
his common benefits, either in a less or greater degree, it 
would be for God's own glory and his good. — Jacob pro- 
posed to improve his temporal mercies for promoting his 
inward sense of divine goodness, and as evidences of 
God's care over him in a foreign land — " If God will be 
with me." But all he asks for these purposes, is bare sup- 
port — " bread to eat and raiment to put on;" these he 
would consider as evidences of " the eyes of his heavenly 
Father being on him for good," when he was sojourn- 
ing in the midst of strangers. Whence arose this moder- 
ation of desire in Jacob's mind about temporal mercies? 
It was only from a firm persuasion, that if God should 
withhold an increase of his outward enjoyments, it 
w r ould be both for his present and future good. He 
asks them, because they were necessary for his support 
by the way, in order to the future service of God; and* 
because they were means necessary towards the accom- 
plishment of the promise of his return to his father's 
house in peace. He was persuaded, if riches were for 
his benefit, they would not be withheld; and if poverty 
and distress were for his good, his all-wise and merciful 
Father would speedily send them. He therefore cast 
himself on a gracious Providence; resolving to wait 
patiently for its determination, whatever should take 
place. This part of Jacob's conduct is worthy of our 
imitation. It is true that, many years after this, w T hen 
he saw more clearly what were God's designs towards 
him, and how he had been faithful to his promise in 
bringing him back in peace, he said — " Joseph is not, 
Simeon is not, and ye w r ill take away Benjamin also: 



184 



SERMONS. 



[SEKMON V. 



all these things are against me." But he lived to see 
that in place of them being against him, they were for 
him. His sons designed it for evil; but the God of 
Abraham and Isaac designed it for good, to save much 
people alive. — Were we careful to cultivate such a 
temper of mind, it would be an effectual preparation 
for the various trials and changes which we may have 
to meet with in this sinful, deceitful, and changeable 
world. However dark the night; however strong the 
gale and raging the waves; a belief that a skilful hand 
is at the helm, who knows the course better than we, 
and who will bring us safely into harbour, cheers and 
supports the mind amidst the howling of the tempest 
and the raging of the elements. If then the voyage of 
life should be somewhat more dangerous than we an- 
ticipated when we set sail for the land very far off, it 
has been all-wisely directed by "Him whose ways are 
in the sea, whose footsteps are in the mighty waters, 
and whose paths are past finding out." His ways are 
not as our ways, neither his thoughts as our thoughts. 
Every one who is brought in safety to the haven of 
rest, will sing — Surely goodness and mercy have fol- 
lowed me all the days of my life, and I now dwell in 
the house of my God, for ever and ever. 

5. Jacob believed that the best way to obtain true enjoy- 
ment from his temporal mercies,, was to renew his covenant 
relation with God, and to seek after closer fellowship and 
communion with Him as the God of his salvation. — 
You see that Jacob's concern was to enjoy God's gra- 
cious presence, and to secure an evidence of this in the 
journey and changes that were before him. His aged 
father he had left behind, who had brought him up in 
the nurture and admonition of the Lord; also his par- 
tial and indulgent mother; with little hope of ever 
seeing them again in the land of the living: and when 
asleep that night on a damp bed and a hard pillow, he 
saw his need more than ever before, of being interested 
in the favour of Him, who is every where present, and 
who, though father and mother both should forsake 
him, was able and willing to take him up. It has very 
often taken place in the history of God's providential 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



185 



dispensations, that those who have been devoted to 
Him in covenant in the days of their youth, but who 
had gone far astray, have been reduced to the last ex- 
tremity of want or of danger, when God spake to them, 
first in the language of conviction — "What dost thou 
here?" and then in the language of compassion — "Fear 
not, I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy 
God." Oh ! that those who have been piously brought 
up, would remember that God's eye is upon them; that 
his vows are upon them; and that when asked to go 
in the ways of sin, they would say — "How can I do 
this great wickedness and sin against God?" With- 
out God's gracious presence and protection, Jacob could 
not be happy; all the riches of this world could not 
satisfy him if these were denied: but with the favour 
of God, food and raiment, bread and water, whether 
in the open field with the bears around him, or in the 
warm tent with friends and kindred at home, he could 
be at ease and find satisfaction. God's gracious pres- 
ence sweetens every circumstance in the believer's lot. 
It takes the sting out of adversity; renders outward 
prosperity subservient to our real happiness; disarms 
our enemies of their malice; makes rough places smooth, 
and crooked things straight; — "I will both lay me 
down in peace and sleep, for thou, Lord, only makest 
me to dwell in safety." Without God's gracious pres- 
ence and blessing, worldlv riches, instead of contribu- 
ting to human happiness, will impair it and promote 
misery; for they are not the children's bread, but only 
the husks which the swine do eat: but they are real 
sources of enjoyment to those who receive them with 
God's blessing, because they tend to promote in them 
a sense of God's goodness towards them, and of the in- 
terest he takes in their temporal and spiritual prosperity. 
It is the blessing of God which makes us happy with 
a little meal in the barrel, and a little oil in the cruse, 
and that keeps these from being exhausted; — " He will 
bless thy bread and thy water." Daniel and the three 
children who lived upon plain coarse provisions, were 
happier in their own minds and looked fairer in their 
countenances, than those who ate of all the varieties 
16* 



186 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON V. 



which came from the king's table. God impressed a 
more than ordinary blessing into their pulse: God's 
blessing was better than the king's venison. It was 
this which made an humble follower of Jesus, when 
sitting down to partake of the last morsel she had in 
the house, to say — " All this, and Christ also!" While 
the natural man looks no higher than the outward 
blessing itself, and places his happiness in its enjoy- 
ment; the believer, who has. the blessing upon his bas- 
ket and his store, receives the bounties of Providence 
with gratitude, and improves them as so many steps by 
which to ascend to their Author, as his portion and 
chief good. The natural man is tormented with either 
keeping or spending the bounties of Providence. What- 
ever way he disposes of them, they aggravate his cares, 
his anxieties, and his sorrows. They are his gods, and 
when they are taken away, what has he more? 

"Kobb'd of his gods, what has he left behind? 
Oh cursed lust of gold, when, for thy sake, 
The fool throws up his interest in both worlds ; 
First starved in this, then damn'd i9 that to come." 

But he who, like Jacob, has God's blessing upon his 
enjoyments, whether they are large or small, considers 
himself only as a steward of these things, and that he 
is bound to lay them out for His service and honour 
from whom he has received them. He finds far more 
pleasure in serving the Lord with his substance, as 
Jacob promised to do, than the men of the w r orld who 
consume it upon their lusts and pleasures. 

Let us then "seek first the kingdom of God and his 
righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto 
us." Jacob asked communion and fellowship with God 
first, and only so much of the good things of this life 
as were necessary for subsistence : but God granted 
him the former; and instead of only bestowing upon 
him the latter, he far exceeded his expectations, and 
conferred upon him great possessions. Whatever we 
have, if it do not come in the way of prayer, it does 
not come in the way of love; it may be given to us for 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



187 



our hurt, and not for our benefit. The tree of mercy 
will not drop its fruit unless it be shaken by the hand 
of prayer. 

(5. Jacob believed that God was able to provide for the 
temporal ivants of his people, even when they should be 
utterly at a loss what to do. — At this time Jacob was in 
poverty, and his prospects for wealth were dark indeed. 
He had left his father's house, in which, if he could 
have remained in safety, he, had the prospect of plenty; 
and though he was going to a strange country, not 
knowing what was to befall him there, or what kind 
of a reception he was to meet with, yet he believed that 
God could make his way prosperous: "When a man's 
ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to 
be at peace with him." His expectations were not dis- 
appointed, and the way God made provision for him 
and his family was such as far exceeded human calcu- 
lations, as appears from the history of his after life. 
He transferred the wealth of Laban to him and his 
family, after his wages had been unjustly changed ten 
times; so that after he had spent twenty years in Padan- 
aram in the statioir of a servant, he left it with great 
riches. We find this exemplified in the case of multi- 
tudes besides Jacob ; which proves that the same wise, 
unseen, and merciful hand is ordering them that fear 
Him, to defend them, to provide for them, and to con- 
duct them. Though God, in all ordinary cases, pro- 
vides for his people's necessities without a direct miracle, 
yet the time and the manner in which they have often 
had their wants supplied, have been next to miraculous. 
The open doors which he has set before them which 
no man could shut, the roads through which they were 
conducted of which they were entirely ignorant, and 
the unexpected quarters whence relief has come to them, 
are sufficient to convince us, that God deals often in 
this way with his people, just to let them see his love 
for them, his care about them, and his ability to pro- 
vide for their wants when all human calculations and 
prospects fail. 

Let us, then, remember the way the Lord our God 
has led us in this wilderness in the years that are past 5 



188 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON V. 



and trust in Him for the time to come. And when 
we know not whether to turn to the right hand or the 
left, he can cause us to hear a voice behind us, saying — 
"This is the way, walk ye in it!" He has promised 
to them that trust in him, to " lead them in ways they 
knew not, and in paths they have not known. These 
things he will do for them, and not forsake them." 



189 



SERMON VI. 

THE SAME SUBJECT CONCLUDED. 

" And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me and 
keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat 
and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house 
in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone which 
I have set for a pillar shall be God's house ; and of all that thou 
shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." — Genesis 
xxviii. 20-22. 

In the last Discourse we endeavoured to illustrate at 
large, the manner in which Jacob's faith was exercised 
with respect to the blessings for this life — called often 
Temporal Benefits. We come now to consider: 

II. The influence which Jacob's faith had upon his 
conduct, in reference to temporal mercies; both when 
he was poor and when he was rich. 

1. When Jacob was poor, his faith led him to his pray- 
ers. — " And Jacob vowed a vow, and said/' &c. Poverty 
is no enemy to the exercise of prayer; for where faith 
is in the heart, let them be as poor as Job, they will 
hold fast their integrity, and say, "The Lord giveth, 
and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the 
Lord." True faith has a powerful influence upon the 
practice of men ; for in whatever situation Divine Provi- 
dence has been pleased to place them, it powerfully 
leads them out to the practice of every religious duty, 
especially to be diligent in prayer. Faith is a persua- 
sion of God's willingness to bestow upon us both what 
respects our present comfort and future happiness. By 
prayer we acknowledge our dependence upon God for 
what relates both to this life and that which is to come; 
so that our diligence in the duty of prayer will always 
be in proportion to our faith. Perhaps you may object 



190 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON VI. 



to some of these statements, and say, "Why pray for 
these things which God has promised to bestow upon 
us? Our prayers cannot alter his determination either 
for us or against us." It is true we have to deal with 
a God who needs not to be informed of our wants or 
dangers. He knows well what we need before we ask 
him; but it is certainly just that we, his dependent 
creatures, should, by prayer and thanksgiving, signify 
our homage to, and our dependence upon him as our 
Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer, for our being and 
well-being, and that we owe all the good we enjoy, or 
expect to receive, to his free and unmerited favour: 
accordingly, "ask and ye shall receive," is the rule God 
has established in his house. To this rule all are bound 
to conform, by the strongest motives of duty and in- 
terest. God's promises are both certain and extensive: 
still he has said, "For these things I will be inquired 
of by the house of Israel to do it for them." Hence we 
find a true and lively faith in God's promises, whether 
they respect temporal or spiritual benefits, has always 
excited to the exercise of prayer for the fulfilling of 
these promises. No sooner had Nathan been sent to 
David with the gracious message that God would estab- 
lish his kingdom of Israel for ever, than he went into 
God's house and addressed Him in solemn prayer for 
the accomplishment of that promise — "And now, O 
Lord God, the word thou hast spoken concerning thy 
servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, 
and do as thou hast said," &c. 2 Sam. vii. 25, 26. 
Daniel, as soon as he had learned from books that the 
seventy years of Judah's captivity were near a close, 
set himself to ask the restoration of the Jews by prayer 
and supplication. And, hence, we find that God had 
no sooner promised to Jacob that he would be with 
him in the way whither he went, and bring him again 
to his father's house, than immediately he began to sue 
for the accomplishment of the promise by prayer. Pray- 
er, in a firm persuasion of the truth of God's promises, 
is the appointed means for obtaining the blessing prom- 
ised; and we know that no rightly exercised believer 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



191 



in Christ ever expects the end promised without the 
use of those means which lead to it. 

Let us imitate Jacobs and though poor in this world, 
be found fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, and de- 
siring to be rich in faith, heirs of the inheritance that 
is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. 
Our poverty, if sanctified to us, is a blessing in disguise. 
Is not that a blessing which forces the wandering 
prodigal to think of the home he has forsaken, and 
brings him back again to his father's house? O, bre- 
thren, if poverty and sorrow, if perplexity and trouble, 
if pain and sickness, will but wean our hearts from this 
wretched world, and cause our souls to long for heaven 
— if they will but force the heart to feel, and the tears 
of penitence and love to flow — if they will but promote 
and sweeten our communion with God, and make us 
more meet for the enjoyment of him in his kingdom — 
let us ever regard them as blessings, let us welcome 
them as friends, let us ever be thankful for tribulation. 
Who can tell what would have been your condition, 
or mine, or what would have been our hope, or what 
our eternal home, if God had granted to us uninter- 
rupted prosperity, and not visited us with poverty, suf- 
fering, and sorrow? Let us bless God for the way by 
which he has led us, for the things which he has denied 
us, and for the common or spiritual mercies which he 
has bestowed upon us; of the least of which we are 
unworthy. 

2. Jacob's faith, when he was poor, led him to the use 
of means for acquiring ichat teas necessary for his tem- 
poral support — God has promised such a share of this 
world's goods to his people as he sees shall be for His 
glory and their good — that their " bread shall be given 
them, and their water made sure." But to expect the 
accomplishment of this promise without attending to 
the means which God has appointed for promoting our 
wealth and outward estate, would not be faith, but 
presumption. For God ; s promises only warrant us to 
expect what is necessary, both for our temporal and 
spiritual support, in the way of using the means for 
acquiring them. Accordingly, the apostle expressly 



192 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON VI. 



condemns idleness, and declares that those who will 
not work should not eat- — " For even when we were with 
you, this we commanded you, that if any man should 
not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that 
there are some who walk among you disorderly, work- 
ing not at all, but are busy-bodies. Now them that 
are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their 
own bread. " 2 Thess. iii. 10-12. We are told by 
Solomon of the virtuous woman, whose price is far 
above rubies, that " she seeketh wool, and flax, and 
worketh willingly with her hands. She layeth her 
hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth 
girdles unto the merchants. She looketh well to the 
ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idle- 
ness* Her children arise up and call her blessed; her 
husband also, and he praiseth her." He who eats the 
bread of idleness, and " whose hands refuse to labour," 
must live upon the labour of others, and resembles the 
drones in the hive, who eat the honey, and enjoy the 
shelter that have been the result of the labour of the 
working bees. To this general rule, however, there 
must be exceptions. Upon the other hand, a supreme 
love of the world, and an over-anxious concern about 
its riches, are as incompatible with true religion, as 
indifference about being "diligent in business," or "look- 
ing well to our flocks and herds" — "For if any man 
love the w r orld, the love of the Father is not in him." 
But negligence in business, to the injury of ourselves 
and family, or creditors, is also the opposite extreme. 
It does not only intimate weak faith, but the want of 
faith— "For if any man provide not for his own, espe- 
cially for those of his own house, he hath denied the 
faith, and is worse than an infidel — Go to the ant, thou 
sluggard, consider her ways and be wise." 

All, therefore, who trust in God, either for their 
temporal or their spiritual support, will be found dili- 
gent in the use of the appointed means. Jacob was 
one of this class of persons. He believed that God was 
the sovereign disposer of his lot, and all his interests; 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



193 



but you will observe that this persuasion, instead of 
leading to indolence, stimulated him to industry; and 
he did not even account a servile life too mean, or say 
he was ashamed to dig, when necessary, to provide for 
himself and family. He submitted patiently to the 
greatest exposure and drudgery for this purpose when 
with his penurious uncle in Padan-aram. Thus we 
find him saying — "In the day the drought consumed 
me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed 
from mine eyes." Jacob had not only a promise of 
temporal support, but that promise was made to him 
with special application; still we see that he expected 
the accomplishment of it in the use of means, in the 
way of attending to his business. In this respect his 
conduct is worthy of our imitation. When we see so 
many instances of the hand of the diligent making 
themselves rich and those connected with them, as well 
as having something to spare for God's house and the 
circulation of his Word,, let us also be found "diligent 
in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;" and 
not say, when Providence presents favourable oppor- 
tunities for laying up something for the wants of old 
age, or the day of distress, "a little sleep, a little slum- 
ber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;" lest our 
"poverty come upon us as one that travelleth, and our 
want as an armed man." — " Be not among wine-bibbers; 
among riotous eaters of flesh : for the drunkard and, 
the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness 
shall clothe a man in rags." 

3. Jacob's Jaith, v:hen he ivas poor, prevented him from 
using unlawful means to obtain riches. — True faith in 
God for temporal support, is the most powerful incite- 
ment to real honesty: on the other hand, they who 
lack this faith are under strong temptations to use un- 
lawful means to acquire wealth. They who fervently 
believe in God as the wise disposer of their lot, and all 
their interests, are patient and resigned under outward 
disappointments, knowing that God can overrule these 
for his own glory, and their good. Besides, though 
the believer's worldly property should faint and fail 
him, should take the wings of an eagle and fly out of 
17 



194 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON VI. 



his sight, the world is not his portion; God in Christ 
is his portion, and he finds in Him what is calculated 
to satisfy the desires of his soul, amidst all the disap- 
pointments and trials which he may meet with in this 
world. This leads him to guard against covetousness, 
knowing that "the love of money is the root of all evil; 
which, while some coveted after, they have erred from 
the faith, and pierced themselves through with many 
sorrows." Hence the prayer of faith, which availeth 
much, is — "Remove far from me vanity and lies; give 
me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food con- 
venient for me: lest I be full and deny thee, and say, 
Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal, and take 
the name of my God in vain." But the unbeliever 
seeks for happiness in the present life, and when his 
worldly prospects are disappointed, and when he cannot 
obtain what is necessary for his wants or his avarice, 
his all is at stake, consequently he is under the strongest 
temptations to secure or recover it by unlawful means. 
With all such, to lie, to cheat, to steal, or in any way 
to take the advantage of his neighbour, is looked upon 
as necessary and harmless: "It is naught, it is naught, 
saith the buyer ; but when he is gone his way, then he 
boasteth." 

Such conduct as this is common in our day, and, with 
sorrow we have to say, too prevalent among those pro- 
cessing godliness, from whom better things might be 
expected. With Jacob, temporal things were but a 
secondary object. He had chosen God for his portion, 
and trusted him for all that he needed both for time 
and for eternity; so that when poor, and in a strange 
land, he did not attempt to better his situation by un- 
lawful and dishonourable means. He knew that this 
would have been to deny his dependence upon God, 
and manifest a disregard to his authority. Jacob, by 
dependence upon God, waiting his time, using means 
which were likely to succeed, and praying for a bless- 
ing upon them, became rich, though in a strange coun- 
try, and connected with a man who envied his prosperity. 
All his riches were acquired by lawful means. He had 
all his speckled and spotted cattle from Laban as his 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS, 



195 



hire, by a fair and lawful agreement; and though God 
multiplied these beyond his expectation, he had a right 
to dispose of his property as seemed good in his sight ; 
and the means Jacob used, upon this occasion, met with 
God's approbation. Hence we find Jacob declaring that 
the whole matter w T as brought about by divine interpo- 
sition. Gen. xxxi. 5, 6, 7, 8. Yv r hen Laban pursued 
Jacob when he fled from Padan-aram, he boldly chal- 
lenged him to produce one instance of dishonesty in 
his conduct all the time he had been in his employment: 
on the contrary, he had made up losses which had oc- 
curred, at his own expense, which should have been 
sustained by Laban — Gen. xxxi. 36-42; "And Jacob 
was wroth, and chode with Laban : and Jacob answered, 
and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my 
sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me? Whereas 
thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found 
of all thy household-stulf? set it here before my bre- 
thren, and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt 
us both. These twenty years have I been with thee; 
thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, 
and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That 
which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee ; I 
bore the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, 
whether stolen by day or stolen by night. Thus I was ; 
in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by 
night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Thus 
have I been twenty years in thy house: I served thee 
fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for 
thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. 
Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, 
and the Fear of Isaac had been with me, surely thou 
hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine 
affliction, and the labour of mine hands, and rebuked 
thee yesternight." Let these things induce us to take 
the God of Jacob for our refuge; make him our fear 
and our dread; use honest and honourable means to 
have our wants supplied, or our wealth increased ; and, 
though our beginning may be small, our latter end 
may greatly increase: but let us not withhold what is 
just, lest it should tend to poverty; or call in question 



196 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON VI. 



God's ability to provide for us, or for ours, by having 
recourse to gambling, lotteries, or life insurances, which 
many betake themselves to, rather than to plain honest 
dealing and dependence upon the divine blessing. These 
are some of the gods of Ekron, that have so many 
worshippers in our land. "Finally, brethren, what- 
soever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 
whatsoever things axejust, whatsoever things are pure, 
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of 
good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, 
think of these things." 

4. Jacob's faith, when he was poor, served to moderate 
his desire towards the world, and to leave to his heavenly 
Father the issue of his endeavours to improve his circum- 
stances. — The true believer is a person who has given 
up this world as his portion, and no longer seeks for 
happiness in its profits and pleasures. He is diligent 
in business; but his pursuit after this world is always 
subordinated to his concern for the one thing needful. 
He seeks this first; and, having found it, he is prepared 
for meeting disappointments of a temporal nature. Ac- 
cordingly we find Jacob, though in poverty, and in the 
character of a servant for twenty years, possessing his 
soul in patience. He neither murmured nor repined 
at the dispensations of Providence. He did not antici- 
pate the openings of Providence for altering his circum- 
stances for the better, or for facilitating the accomplish- 
ment of the promise given to him of a safe return to 
his father's house. He carefully observed the hand of 
the Lord in the way that he was leading him and deal- 
ing with him; and studied to be in the path of duty, 
leaving the issue with his God. In this respect his 
conduct is recommended for our imitation. It is dan- 
gerous to hasten to be rich. Though we are warranted 
to embrace the openings of Providence for bettering 
our outward circumstances, it is unsafe to anticipate 
these, or run before Providence. By doing so we as- 
sume God's prerogative, and attempt to take the man- 
agement of our lot in our own hand; and, when this 
is the case, we expose ourselves to innumerable snares 
and temptations. They who "seek the kingdom of 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



197 



God first," and temporal good things only in subor- 
dination to the "one thing needful," and in a depend- 
ence upon God's blessing upon these endeavours, are 
under the care of a special providence. They are 
"blessed in their basket, and in their store; in their 
down-sitting and in their up-rising:" but, on the con- 
trary, they who are discontented with the condition in 
which God has placed them, and are determined to be 
rich, though they should go out of that path he has 
evidently marked out for them in his providence, throw 
themselves out of his special protection, and, if they 
should succeed, they do it in the way of entailing a 
curse upon all their enjoyments — "'Having food and 
raiment, let us therewith be content. But they that 
will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into 
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in 
destruction and perdition. For the love of money is 
the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, 
they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves 
through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, 
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, god- 
liness, faith, love, patience, meekness." 

5. Jacob's faith, when he was inch, led him to acknowl- 
edge God as his benefactor. — Unsanctified riches wean 
the heart from the Father of our mercies, and the God 
of all our consolation. Hence it is that multitudes 
upon whom he bestows the bounties of common provi- 
dence in great abundance, are the least disposed to ac- 
knowledge him as the bountiful giver of all they enjoy. 
They ascribe their prosperity to their own diligence. 
They view it solely as the effect of their own industry, 
or good fortune, without acknowledging any superior 
cause. But Jacob's faith disposed him to look unto 
his God and Father in covenant, as the source whence 
came all his mercies. He believed and confessed that 
it was He that gave him power and opportunities to 
become rich ; and that while the lot was cast into his 
lap, the whole disposing of it was from the Lord. He 
knew that the upper springs and the nether-springs of 
all his earthly and heavenly comfort lay in him who 
was the God of his salvation. But though he knew 
17* 



198 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON VI. 



that the promise would not fail, " which was given him 
as the ground of his sure hope," yet he did not eat the 
bread of violence, nor of idleness. His wealth was 
obtained by the sweat of his face. The great increase 
of his stock, immediately before he left Padan-aram, 
though obtained in a way somewhat miraculous, was 
only his just right — for, formerly, Laban had changed 
his wages ten times — still you will observe that he 
does not ascribe his riches to his own industry or wis- 
dom, but to God's bounty. To this purpose are his 
words to his w r ives — "And he said unto them, I see 
your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as 
before: but the God of my father hath been with me. 
And ye know that with all my power I have served 
your father. And your father hath deceived me, and 
changed my wages ten times: but God suffered him 
not to hurt me. If he said thus, The speckled shall 
be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and 
if he said thus, The ring-streaked shall be thy hire; 
then bare all the cattle ring-streaked. Thus God hath 
taken away the cattle of your father , and given them to 
me." We find also the same sentiment expressed in 
his address to God at Mahanaim — "And Jacob said, 
O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father 
Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy 
country, aud to thy kindred, and I will deal well with 
thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, 
and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy 
servant: for with my staff I passed over this Jordan, 
and now I am become two bands." This was not a 
temporary impression, like that which wicked men feel 
sometimes, when God unexpectedly loads them with 
the common bounties of his providence, but an abiding 
sentiment of gratitude in his breast, through all the 
changes of life, and which was felt and expressed by 
him in a most lively and humble manner at his dying 
hour. While his thoughts were principally engaged 
about those spiritual blessings God had bestowed upon 
him, he did not forget his kindness in granting to him 
a loan of much of His temporal mercies. "And he 
blessed Joseph, and said, Qqd, before whom my fathers 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



199 



Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all 
my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me 
from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named 
on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and 
Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst, 
of the earth." Oh, then, let us, whether we are poor 
or rich, despised or esteemed, young or old, live unto 
God, and in a grateful remembrance of His mercies 
towards us who has led us and fed us all our life long ! 
Let us live the life, if we would be found dying the 
death, of the righteous ! 

6. Jacob's faith when he was rich, kept him humble. — 
Riches have a wonderful tendency, upon a graceless 
mind, in fostering its natural pride and vanity. They 
puff up the fleshly mind. Hence we often find the 
same persons, who, when poor, were gentle, condescend- 
ing, and agreeable, when they grow rich, become proud, 
malignant, implacable, and unmerciful. The fascin- 
ating charms of riches change, as it were, their natural 
dispositions and their sentiments; but this change is 
not for the better, but for the worse. Pride, idleness, 
and wantonness, are worms which breed in these heaps 
of unsanctified riches which many are found collecting. 
They harden the heart against God. He gives them 
fulness of bread, and they lift up the heel against him. 
As in the natural body, the more fat the less blood in 
the veins, and the less animal spirits: so the more out- 
ward plenty, too often the less inward piety. It is true 
that riches sometimes have an influence on the people 
of God, at times, to cause them to forget their origin, 
their standing, and their destination ; but this is owing 
to the weakness, and not to the influence, of their faith. 
True faith, when in lively exercise, will have quite the 
opposite effect in the season of prosperity. It is like 
the ballast which keeps the ship steady in the water, 
and prevents her from being overset by those sudden 
and violent gusts that may assail her during a long 
voyage. True faith in God leads to confide in him 
during the storm, and confess him as the author of all 
our mercies. The true believer considers that he has 
nothing but what he has received, and that he has no 



200 



SERMONS. 



[sermon VI. 



ground for boasting. When rich, instead of being 
puffed up with high notions of his own superiority, he 
is filled with astonishment at God's kindness in grant- 
ing to him such a large share of the bounties of his 
providence, and with a deep sense of his own unwor- 
thiness. When he observes others around him op- 
pressed with poverty, in place of improving such a 
scene for promoting his pride, he improves it for pro- 
moting his humility. He considers himself no better 
than they, and ascribes the difference to the sovereign 
and bountiful providence of God. Hence we seldom 
find the Lord's people in a more humble frame of mind 
than when their heavenly Father bestows upon them 
some striking manifestations of his goodness. Witness 
David's exercise after he was exalted from following 
the ewes with young to the throne of Israel: "Then 
went king David in and sat before the Lord, and said, 
Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that 
thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a 
small thing in thy sight; but thou hast also spoken of 
thy servant's house for a great while to come. And 
is this the manner of man, O Lord God ?" 2 Sam. vii. 
18, 19. The same humble spirit appeared in Jacob 
when he was rich. The increase of his riches did not 
change his disposition in this respect. Few things are 
more descriptive of a graceless heart than the pride of 
worldly riches. These may appear great to those who 
have no other portion; but they are of small impor- 
tance to a child of God, and an heir of immortal glory. 
We have little need to be proud of what we have, for 
it may soon be taken from us, or we may soon be taken 
from it. How often do we see the abrupt termination 
of human schemes and human greatness! — man dies 
and his expectations perish — the thread is snapped 
asunder almost before he began to wind it. 

7. Jacob's faith, when he was rich, led him to improve 
the bounties of Providence for increasing his inward sense 
of God's kindness towards him, and his care about him. — 
Jacob, when poor, resolved that if God should be with 
him, and give him bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 
so that he should come again to his father's house, then 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



201 



the Lord should be his God; that is, he would improve 
the bounties of Providence, and his gracious protection, 
as marks of God's covenant relation to him, and his 
paternal care about him, for his spiritual comfort and 
encouragement in his service. And we find he acted 
up to this resolution when he became rich. Behold 
with what warmth of devotion and lively gratitude he 
acknowledged God's kindness towards him in a strange 
land, when returning to his father's house — "I am not 
worthy of the least of thy mercies, and of all the truth 
thou hast shown to thy servant : for with my staff I 
passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two 
bands." The same lively sense of divine goodness 
abode with him to old age, when he worshipped God 
leaning upon his staff, and when he lay upon his death- 
bed taking farewell of this world and all its pleasures and 
sorrows. In this way the blessings of common provi- 
dence assume a special form, as they become so many 
steps by which the heaven-born soul ascends to God 
as the fountain of his happiness, and so many marks 
by which the believer discerns God's paternal regard, 
and reads his own interest in His favour. 

8. Jacob's faith, when rich, led him to employ his 
worldly substance for the more perfect observance of the 
sacred institutions of divine worship. — God has wisely 
ordained, that in every period of the church a part of 
the outward mercies which he has bestowed upon his 
worshippers, should be laid out for the support of his 
ordinances, and for the maintenance of those who min- 
ister in holy things. It is but just and reasonable that 
men should devote a portion of their substance in the 
more immediate service of that God from whom they 
derive life, breath, and all things. They are to do this 
in token of their gratitude to God as their Creator and 
bountiful Preserver, but more especially as their Re- 
deemer. He demands this of all gospel worshippers, 
as an evidence of their love to him, and as a fruit of 
their profiting under the means of grace. In place of 
looking upon it, as some do, to be a burden, it should 
be accounted as a privilege to have an opportunity of 
contributing for the support of God's ordinances, and 



202 



SERMONS. 



[sermon VI. 



of those who are sent in his name to beseech sinners to 
be reconciled unto him; since both are enjoined by the 
same high authority. God has not only enjoined that 
they who preach the gospel should live by. the gospel, 
but also that they w T ho hear the gospel should support 
its ministers in a respectable and comfortable manner — 
"Do ye not know that they which minister about holy 
things live of the things of the temple, and they which 
wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even 
so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the 
gospel should live of the gospel." 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14. 
It is as much the duty of those who are members of 
the church to contribute for the support of the gospel 
among themselves, and to send it unto others, as it is 
for them to take their seat at the table of the Lord, 
and show forth his death. Both are enjoined by the 
same authority; and we should remember that for 
neglecting or despising any one of these things required 
of us, each one will have to give an account of himself 
and of his doings unto God. "If w T e have sown unto 
you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we should 
reap your carnal things?" 

Under the former dispensation, the tenth of the 
worldly substance of God's worshippers was to be ap- 
plied for the purpose of supporting the priesthood, 
and the temple service, by express appointment; and 
many are convinced that the same rule is required by 
God to be observed under the gospel, and from a sense 
of duty give the tenth of all they possess unto the Lord. 
But even though the same rule cannot be proved to 
extend to the church under the New Testament d is pen- 
sation, yet, if circumstances require it, even the tenth 
should be devoted, and more, before gospel ordinances 
should be permitted to fail among a people. You will 
observe that in Jacob's day God had not, by any posi- 
tive law, appointed the tenth to be devoted to his ser- 
vice, any more than he has done in our day, yet he 
purposed freely to give it if it lay within his power — 
"Of all that thou shalt give me, I will even give the 
tenth unto thee." This was his purpose when he was 
a poor lad, with his staff in his hand, sojourning in a 



GEX. XXVIII. 20-22.] SERMONS. 



203 



strange land. He had no stronger motives in wishing 
to be rich, than that he might have wherewith to serve 
the Lord, by devoting to him a part of his substance 
which he might be pleased to cast into his lot. And 
when God blessed his labours, and gave him great 
abundance, he did not act like many, who, when they 
wax fat, kick, and exclaim, "Who is the Lord that we 
should obey him? v Our riches are our own, who is 
Lord over us? No, he went to the place where God 
at first spoke with him, for the express purpose of per- 
forming his vow. Oh that Jacob's example were at- 
tended to! — "And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up 
to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar 
unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fkddest 
from the face of Esau thy brother. Then Jacob said 
unto his household, and to all that were with him, 
Put awav the strange i^ods that are among; you, and be 
clean, and change your garments. And let us arise, 
and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar 
unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, 
and was with me in the way which I w r ent." Gen. 
xxxv. 1-3. We cannot have a more honourable motive 
in wishing t© become rich, than that w r e may have it 
in our power to appropriate a portion of our wealth 
unto the Lord; neither can we make a better use of 
what may be laid to our hand, than by consecrating a 
part of our gain to the Lord, and of our substance to 
the Lord of the whole earth. By acting in this way 
God will prosper the work of our hands — "Bring ye 
all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be 
meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith 
the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows 
of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall 
not be room enough to receive it." Mai. iii. 10. 
By way of improvement of the subject: — 
1. If we w r ould wish to cultivate Jacob's spirit about 
temporal mercies, and arrive at his attainments, let us 
guard against covetousness — "Take heed (said Jesus,) 
and beware of covetousness, for a man's life consisteth 
not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." 
Covetousness may be defined to be an excessive or 



204 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON VI. 



irregular desire after those worldly goods which we 
have not, and which God in his providence does not 
see meet to grant to us. This temper of mind is di- 
rectly opposite to that entire dependence upon God as 
the wise and sovereign disposer of our outward circum- 
stances, and that moderate desire after temporal mer- 
cies, resignation to the will of God, and contentment 
with our own condition, which constituted such promi- 
nent features in Jacob's character. It intimates an 
unwillingness to be at God's disposal — a distrust of 
his promise of temporal support — and is, in effect, a 
usurpation of God's prerogative, and an attempt to as- 
sume the reins of his government in our own hands. 
Let us ever believe that the circumstances in which 
God has placed us are most adapted for our present 
and future good. Such a persuasion as this will sweeten 
every bitter ingredient which may be in our cup. — 
But perhaps you may say, "Had I more of this world's 
goods, I would be more able and more willing to serve 
God with my substance than now." That many may 
be truly sincere in such desires we would readily grant; 
but it is only those who study at present to do all that 
lies within their power to honour the Lord with their 
substance, on whose words or views we can rely that 
they will cast into the treasury in proportion as the 
Lord shall prosper them. Giving to the Lord is with 
many, like "giving themselves" to the Lord; put off 
to a more convenient season, and that season to suit 
them seldom or never comes. "I have bought a piece 
of land, and / must pay for it first, before I contribute 
for the gospel:" and when the land is paid, you will 
find him saying, I must pull down my old house and 
barns, and build better ones in their place; and then, 
after that, he will tell us he has married a wife, and, 
therefore (charity begins at home!) I must provide for 
my own household; I pray thee have me excused. 
Show me a young man who fears the Lord aright, and 
I will show you one, who, when he becomes two bands, 
will offer none of these excuses, nor grumble about 
serving the Lord with the first fruits of his increase— 
"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted 



GEN. XXVIII. 20-22.J 8ERMON8. 



205 



according to what a man hath, and not according to 
what he hath not." Christ observed many that were 
rich casting in much to the treasury; but he only com- 
mended the poor widow who cast in two mites, because 
the small offering was more for her ability than the 
large sums were for the wealthy — "And he said, Of a 
truth, I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast 
in more than they all. For all these have of their 
abundance cast into the offering of God; but she of her 
penury hath cast in all that she had." 

2. If we would wish to enjoy Jacob's faith, and have 
the approbation of the God of Jacob, let us consider 
the vanity of all worldly riches and enjoyments. — That 
they cannot confer real happiness we have abundance 
of evidence to convince us. The rich man is usually 
the most unhappy; for his desires after his own riches, 
and his love for them, increase with his gain. Is he 
become a miser, who can neither take the use of it 
himself, nor permit any other to do it? He is a rich 
poor man, deprived of peace of conscience either by 
night or day. " The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, 
whether he eat little or much; but the abundance of 
the rich will not suffer them to sleep." Is he a profli- 
gate? His mind is racked with finding out methods 
of spending his substance in gratifying his carnal appe- 
tites, which never say they have enough; and in the 
end such indulgences will fill the soul with bitter re- 
morse. "It will bite as a serpent, and sting as an 
adder." The truth is, worldly riches, of themselves, 
cannot yield any happiness to their possessor. They 
are but broken cisterns, which can hold no water. 
They can afford no comfort in a dying hour. Though 
Dives was exceedingly rich, and fared sumptuously 
every day, yet he died the death of the wicked, with- 
out any hope of salvation ; and when in hell he lifted 
up his eyes, being in torments, he could not purchase 
one drop of water to cool his burning tongue. Riches 
are only valuable when God gives us a heart to use 
them for the purpose of his glory. Let us aim at 
having a better foundation on which to rest our eternal 



18 



206 



SERMONS. 



[SERMON VI. 



interest, than the man had who said to his soul, "Soul, 
thou hast much goods laid up for many years, eat, 
drink, and be merry lest it may also be said to us, 
"Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required at 
thine hand; and whose shall those things be that thou 
hast provided?" 



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